Modulo

iCivics

Recommended Ages

3rd–12th grades

iCivics is a free civics education platform founded by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to help students understand government, law, and citizenship. Its library of online games, lesson plans, and printable activities lets kids explore topics like voting, separation of powers, and constitutional rights by making decisions and seeing the consequences play out. Parents and teachers appreciate that resources are standards-aligned, easy to implement, and available at no cost, making high-quality civics accessible to any homeschool. The games’ cartoon style may look younger, but the thinking required can challenge middle and even early high school students, offering excellent value for families who want to raise informed, engaged citizens.

Ideal for roughly grades 4–10 kids who enjoy online games and simulations and are ready to talk about real-world issues like voting, rights, and responsibilities. It’s especially appealing to families who want a secular, justice-aware civics foundation without overt political or religious messaging. 

Pros

Secular homeschoolers love that iCivics is free, nonpartisan, and game-based: kids run virtual campaigns, argue court cases, or manage a branch of government, which makes civics feel concrete instead of abstract. The teacher materials include lesson plans, discussion questions, and printable readings, so families can scale it from “just games” to a more robust unit. 

Cons

Despite strong content, it’s very U.S.-centric and assumes a fair bit of reading fluency, so struggling readers and non-U.S. families may need heavy support. It’s best treated as a civics supplement rather than a complete social studies spine, and some parents find the website layout and teacher dashboard initially confusing.

Because iCivics is free, families don’t need ESA or charter funds to use it; some programs simply list it as an endorsed civics resource that can count toward social‑studies hours.

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iCivics
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Skills

What kids will learn
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Civics
Civics
Social Studies
Social Studies
History
History

iCivics Mission

iCivics' mission is to ensure that every student in the United States receives a high-quality, engaging civic education and gains the knowledge, skills, and values to participate in democracy. Through free, game-based learning experiences, lesson plans, and print-and-go activities, iCivics helps teachers bring concepts like separation of powers, voting, and constitutional rights to life. The organization also advocates nationally for stronger civics requirements so that all young people feel prepared and empowered to shape their communities.

iCivics Story

iCivics was founded in 2009 by retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who grew concerned about declining civic knowledge and participation among young Americans. She first launched an initiative called Our Courts, which soon evolved into iCivics, a nonprofit that would pair rigorous civics content with interactive digital games that speak to how students learn today. Over the years, iCivics has expanded its library to dozens of games and hundreds of classroom resources, partnering with states, districts, and educators across the country. Today it serves millions of students annually and leads a broad coalition working to make civics education a priority again.

About Modular Learning

FAQ: Additional Details about iCivics

During a typical session your child might run a virtual law firm in “Do I Have a Right?”, listening to cartoon clients, deciding which amendment applies, and racing to match them with the right lawyer before time runs out. 

iCivics is a free civics platform; you can create a teacher/parent account, assign standards‑aligned games and lesson plans, and kids play interactive simulations about government and rights while you track their progress if you’ve set up classes. 

Parents can let teens play independently, but the richest learning comes when you preview games, debrief afterward, and connect scenarios to real news or family conversations about civic life. 

iCivics is best for roughly grades 6–12 with solid reading skills, since games include on‑screen text, case summaries, and civics vocabulary like “due process” or “judicial review.” 

iCivics combines short readings with interactive simulations and games about government, which can be motivating for ADHD and gifted learners who like real‑world strategy. For dyslexic or language‑impaired students, adults may need to read passages aloud, pre‑teach vocabulary, and debrief decisions after playing.

There are no fees to use iCivics, so there is no refund policy—families can start or stop using the games and materials at any time.

Not a great fit for kids who dislike reading-heavy interfaces or who become overstimulated by fast-paced on-screen games, and it won’t be sufficient for families seeking a fully offline, book-based civics course.

Alternatives and complements include Kids Discover Online and National Geographic for more traditional readings, BrainPOP for shorter civics videos, and resources like Facing History or Learning for Justice for older students wanting a deeper social-justice focus.

The iCivics team regularly releases new games and curricula, including recent titles like Investigation Declaration, and keeps resources updated as laws and civic issues evolve. 

Play each game yourself first, then assign it to your child with one or two guiding questions (“What was hardest about balancing the branches?”) and debrief over snack—this short conversation is where much of the real learning happens.

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Meet Sandra

Sandra Day O'Connor was the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court and, after her retirement from the Court, became a leading voice for revitalizing civic education. Drawing on her decades of public service and deep belief in the responsibility of citizens in a constitutional democracy, she founded iCivics to bring engaging, nonpartisan civics resources to classrooms nationwide. Under her vision, iCivics has grown into the country's largest provider of civic education materials. A fun fact: even in her 80s, Justice O'Connor was known for visiting classrooms and talking directly with students about why their participation matters.