Since 2005, our “We the People” Constitution Program has engaged thousands of students in Washington, D.C., through immersive educational experiences about the U.S. Constitution. Help your students gain a profound understanding of the importance of active citizenship by bringing our stories, lessons, and values into your classroom.
Our “We the People” Constitution Hub is a free online tool designed to engage students with the Constitution’s living history and its vital role in our government. Whether you’re looking to introduce your students to the foundations of our government or aiming to foster a deeper understanding of their civic rights and responsibilities, the Hub is a vital educational tool for teachers.
Here are a few highlights that our “We the People” Hub offers:
Access free lesson plans covering key topics from the foundational aspects of the Constitution to contemporary civic issues, designed to support educators and engage students, and provide diverse perspectives on civics and U.S. history.
Many resources available on the hub can be downloaded in different formats, allowing you to tailor them to meet your classroom’s specific standards and objectives.
Discover original plays developed in collaboration with StoryWorks Theater, focusing on pivotal moments and figures in American history. Each play is accompanied by a set of curriculum materials, including lesson plans, discussion questions, and activities, designed to integrate seamlessly into teaching.
Engage your students with quizzes and classroom discussion exercises designed to cater to all learning styles.
Share, use, and contribute to lessons and resources on the platform, and collaborate with fellow educators from across the country.
The hub offers the unique opportunity to schedule live virtual sessions with educators at participating “We the People” sites for an interactive and immersive learning experience — all at no cost.
The Hub is a collaborative effort by the We the People Consortium, which includes the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, the White House Historical Association, the National Archives and Records Administration, President’s Park/White House Visitor Center (National Park Service), and the George Mason Memorial (National Park Service).
Since 2005, our “We the People” Constitution Tour has served over 25,000 students in exploring how the U.S. Constitution comes alive in our nation’s capital. Each year, our “We the People” Tours transform how middle school students understand their roles in democracy. In the 2023-2024 school year, we engaged 1,054 eighth-grade students from 12 D.C. Title I schools, fostering a deeper commitment to civic engagement and public service.
These tours offer hands-on educational experiences at historic sites in Washington, D.C., including the U.S. Capitol, the National Archives, the George Mason Memorial, and a visit to “The People’s House,” a new interactive White House exhibit. Each trip costs approximately $110.83 per student, which covers expenses for transportation, lunches, tour guides, and educational materials and helps us continue offering these transformative experiences.
Note: “We the People” Constitution Tours are funded exclusively for students from D.C. Title I schools.
To register your classroom for this enriching educational tour, please contact us or fill out the form below:
The "We the People" Constitution Tour is designed to improve students' understanding of the U.S. Constitution through hands-on learning at historical sites in Washington, D.C. Each stop covers a specific aspect of the Constitution and the American political system:
As the "father of the Bill of Rights," George Mason's memorial is the starting point for our tour about constitutional rights and guarantees.
Students can view the original Constitution and Bill of Rights, allowing them to connect with these documents first-hand.
Representing the legislative branch, the Capitol provides a backdrop for learning about Congress and the law-making process.
This site represents the executive branch and provides insights into the presidency and the execution of our laws.
As the highest court in the United States, this stop highlights the judicial branch and the role of the courts in interpreting the law.
By the end of the tour, students have a well-rounded understanding of the Constitution's practical applications and the importance of each citizen's role within the democratic framework of the United States. The tour includes a complimentary lunch and transportation.
In the previous tour season (from October 2022 to March 2023), we engaged 1,331 D.C. eighth-grade students alongside 220 dedicated teachers, with a total of 1,551 enthusiastic participants. This turnout not only surpassed our previous annual average of 1,400 participants but also marks a significant accomplishment since the pandemic shutdown.
Here is how our tour makes a difference:
The increasing demand for our tour underscores the urgent need for ongoing civics and history education, especially in light of the recent National Assessment of Educational Progress findings. This report shows that just 13% of 8th graders nationwide are proficient in history, and only 22% are proficient in civics. Clearly, education is a top priority nationwide. However, we must also address the fact that these findings represent a decline in proficiency over recent years, posing a challenge to future civic engagement.
As our program grows, your feedback, insights, and involvement are invaluable. Together, we can empower a generation that is not only well-educated but also deeply committed to the health of our democracy.
Only 22% of our nation’s 8th graders are proficient in civics
13% of our nation’s 8th graders are proficient in history
Based on the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) civics assessment.
Phone: 202-543-8919 ext. 20
Email: jdeitz@uschs.org
Phone: 202-543-8919 ext. 22
Email: edenyer@uschs.org
For more than 60 years, the U.S. Capitol Historical Society has proudly worked to preserve and share the history of the Capitol, the Congress, and the people who work therein. As a nonpartisan, educational 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Society was chartered by Congress in 1978, in part, “to foster and increase an informed patriotism.” In service of this mission, the Society conducts historical tours of the Capitol Building, hosts both virtual and in-person public history programming, publishes scholarly research in various aspects of Capitol History, coordinates an open-access civics education digital resource hub, manages a renowned civics education field trip program for D.C. public school students, and commissions works of fine art for the Capitol collections.
The We the People Constitution Program is made possible by:
Participants in the Hub, virtual tours, and in-person tours include:
The National Archives and Records AdministrationIn addition to the resources of the hub, teachers may schedule a virtual classroom session with educators at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, the White House Visitor Center, and the George Mason Memorial. Interested in scheduling a live session for your classroom?
Live classroom sessions with the National Archives are available through an existing program:
If you are a middle-school teacher, We the People educators would love to schedule a live session with your classroom! Please fill out the contact form below and our scheduler will be in touch with you.
200 Maryland Avenue NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
p. 202-543-8919
p. 800-887-9318
f. 202-525-2790
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Help preserve and share the history of democracy with a year-end donation! Join as a member today and enjoy unique benefits—all while contributing to our mission of preserving history and promoting civic education.
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