National Archives

a CILC Content Provider

Visit the National Archives without leaving your home or school through our free distance learning programs!

The National Archives is an independent Federal agency that preserves and protects the historically valuable records of the United States government. The mission of the National Archives is to provide public access to these Federal Government records. Public access to government records strengthens democracy by allowing Americans to claim their rights of citizenship, hold their government accountable, and understand their history so they can participate more effectively in their government.

The interactive Distance Learning programs of the National Archives feature primary sources from the Archives' holdings, including historical documents, photographs, maps, posters, and more!

2023-2024

2022-2023

2021-2022

2020-2021

2019-2020

Honorable Mention

2018-2019

Honorable Mention

2017-2018

Programs by National Archives

The Constitution at Work: Middle School Edition (Free)

Why was it necessary to create the United States Constitution? Students will analyze primary source documents to determine how the Constitution creates a stronger central government compared to the Articles of Confederation. They will also...

Decoding the Declaration (Free)

During this program, students will analyze the Declaration of Independence through different lenses, examining it as an artifact, as a primary source, and as a persuasive text. Students will consider the argument for independence, the key...

Make Your Voice Count: Learning About the First Amendment (Free)

In this program, students will explore the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights using primary historical sources to learn about the importance of rights and how to exercise their freedoms. This program is offered as a part of Civics for All of...

No Conscription Without Representation: Voting Rights and the Constitution (Free)

Using the Constitution, constitutional amendments, legislation, and a Supreme Court case, students will explore the progression of voting rights in the United States with particular focus on the effort to lower the voting age to 18. Additional...

Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Fight for the Vote (Free)

Students will use the records of the National Archives to determine how and why women fought for the right to vote. Students will explore the challenges suffragists faced and discover why the fight for women’s voting rights persisted even after...

Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote for Elementary School (Free)

Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote for High School (Free)

Superhero Bill of Rights (Free)

Focusing on the First Amendment, students will discover how the Superhero Bill of Rights saves the day by protecting people’s rights. Students will analyze primary sources and discover how they can exercise their rights. For grades 3-5.

The Bill of Rights in Real Life (Free)

During this program, students will focus on the rights and limitations within the Bill of Rights. They will identify Bill of Rights issues using historical scenarios from the holdings of the National Archives and learn why it is important for...

The Bill of Rights Protects You (Free)

In this program, students will explore the Bill of Rights and how it outlines both limits on government and the rights of the people. We will work together to analyze three case studies that underscore the remedies that citizens can use to address...

The Constitution and Our Community (Free)

In this program, students will explore the idea of community, hone their primary source analysis skills by examining government records, and connect the Constitution to their own lives.This program is offered as a part of Civics for All of US, a...

The Constitution Rules! (Free)

In this program, students will explore the idea of different responsibilities in their community and analyze images that highlight the jobs of the three branches of government as outlined in the Constitution. This...

The First Amendment: Five Rights in One! (Free)

Students will explore the First Amendment freedoms from the Bill of Rights in this interactive and engaging civics program based on historical primary sources. Students will learn about the importance of First Amendment rights, identify examples...

The Founding Documents: Building a More Perfect Union (Free)

During this program for the National Archives, your students will explore the history and purpose of the founding documents; the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights!

The Founding Documents: Building a More Perfect Union for Elementary Students (Free)

During this program for 3-5 graders from the National Archives, your students will explore the purpose and significance of the founding documents; the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights!

Voting Rights, the Constitution & Representative Government (Free)

Using the Constitution, constitutional amendments, and legislation, students will explore the progression of voting rights in the United States and its impact on representative government. Additional primary source, including photographs and...

Type of Organization

Government Agency

Contact

National Archives Distance Learning Team distancelearning@nara.gov
700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20408
2023575410
United States

https://www.archives.gov/education/distance-learning/index.html

Primary Disciplines

The programs of National Archives cover:

History & Social Studies
Civics