What could be more fun and engaging for students than GAMES? With iCivics’ free, nonpartisan digital games and other resources, students experience and learn civics by exploring what it is like to be a presidential candidate, member of the town council, or other public official. Through hands-on learning, students gain an understanding of what it takes to pursue compromise, work with others to improve their communities, and sustain and strengthen constitutional democracy in the United States.
iCivics is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing civic learning so young people have the confidence to shape the world around them and believe in our country’s future. The organization aims to make high-quality, engaging civic education available to all students, building on the belief of its founder, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, that the best way to uphold our democratic traditions is to teach them to each successive generation. To this end, iCivics materials are designed to help students in the acquisition of not only civic knowledge, but also the skills and dispositions necessary in our self-governing society.
Honoring and continuing Justice O’Connor’s civic leadership, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined the iCivics Board of Directors in 2015. With inspiration and encouragement from Justice Sotomayor, iCivics created Do I Have A Right?, its first game with supports for English and multilingual learners (EL/ML), including a Spanish version, ¿Tengo algún derecho? Following the success of Do I Have a Right?, which has been played millions of times by students across the nation, iCivics included English and multilingual supports for additional games in its portfolio and all new games moving forward.
As a result of this work, iCivics was honored to receive the TESOL President’s Award in 2019 for working to make civic education accessible to English language learners. Teachers who use the games and resources have recognized the organization, as well:
“I love how [¿Tengo algún derecho?] not only allows my students to learn about their rights in this country, but their parents can, too! I am able to provide educational support to my Spanish-speaking EL students through iCivics’ ELL resources.” Veronica Schmidt-Gómez, Tampa, FL
“I love the Amendment Guide in Spanish from Do I Have A Right? Kids have kept this with them for years and given it to their parents, siblings, etc. If resources are available, I provide students with the English version and their language version as well.” -Kajal C., Oakland, CA
The EL/ML supports in iCivics games include: an English-language voiceover and glossary, gameplay scaffolds, embedded and printable content guides, and the option to play in Spanish or English. These elements make the games an accessible and meaningful learning experience for all students. The accompanying Extension Packs offer expansion activities and visuals that allow teachers to dive deeper into the content matter and reinforce learning objectives. Explore the full library of games and resources at ed.icivics.org.
In addition to games, iCivics has a growing library of infographics (available in English and Spanish), lesson plans, award-winning instructional videos, and more. Find out more about iCivics’ library of translated and EL/ML-supported resources at icivics.org/how-to-use/spanish-el-ml, and create an educator account online in order to download FREE iCivics resources.