Teachers

Teacher Resources

The Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) and Architect of the Capitol (AOC) offer free virtual tours, activities, and resources for those interested in learning more about Congress, the Capitol Building, and Washington, D.C. I wanted to share a few of these resources for our Eighth District teacher to connect their students with our Nation’s Capital and Congress.

The Capitol Complex. (Image courtesy of the Library of Congress)

For All Teachers:

The CVC website provides a link for teachers with a variety of tools to help you share information about the Capitol and Congress with your students.

 

For All Ages:

A nine-minute general video tour suitable for all audiences which takes visitors on an informational trip through the CVC entrance and onto the public tour route that they would experience in the busy season at the Capitol. Explore the Crypt, Rotunda, National Statuary Hall and more.

 

Resources For Educators:

I also want to take a minute to share with our educators resources available to teach students about the different branches and agencies of the government.

Additionally, the Library of Congress offers a wide variety of resources for educators, including classroom materials, professional development resources, tips for using primary sources, and information on events and workshops.

Click here for more information on the Library of Congress’ resources for educators.

 

For Middle School-Aged Students and Teachers:

Specifically for middle school students, the CVC has produced a nearly 20-minute tour that focuses on information relevant to their civics and social studies classes. This video is a curriculum-focused informational trip through the CVC entrance and onto the public tour route they would experience that explores the Crypt, Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall. Information about how legislation is considered and passed in both of the old chambers is highlighted in this video.

Additionally, the CVC has produced a number of supplemental e-learning resources that accompany the Middle School Video Tour such as follow-along worksheets and a video quiz. The follow-along worksheet allows students to follow-along with the narrator and answer the questions he poses throughout the video. This is a tool that you can use to confirm that students watched the video and developed original thoughts and opinions on the important topics discussed in each room of the tour. The middle school video quiz allows you to check on student comprehension of the material shared in the video.

 

Click the image above to watch a special tour for middle school students
that pertains to civics and social studies classes.

 

For Virtual Learning at Home:

The AOC has also produced several virtual resources for students and families learning from home. These resources are grouped into elementary, middle school, and high school levels. They range from activity guides and game sheets, to video series, lesson plans and essay questions. In addition, there are virtual field trips and online exhibits from the U.S. Botanic Garden and the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

 

Click the image above for an all-ages virtual tour of the U.S. Capitol.

 

Additional Resources

Elementary School Resources:

Activity Guides and Worksheets:

Explore the art and history of the U.S. Capitol with these student guides:

  • Discover the U.S. Capitol (PDF) – Activities include drawing a column capital, determining the timeline of American history, matching people (statues) to their notable facts, color coding states, studying American inventors, a word find puzzle and more.
  • Design a Statue (PDF) – Each state gets two statues in the U.S. Capitol. Which notable person would you choose?
  • A Capitol Adventure (PDF, K-2) – When using this guide at home, explore some of the rooms instead on this website, navigate the Capitol maze and color the American flag.

 

Lesson Plans

 

Fun Extras:

 

Middle School Resources:

Video Series:

  • A Capitol Moment – Highlighting the lives of figures represented by the statues in Emancipation Hall including Helen Keller, William Borah, Jack Swigert, Jeannette Rankin, Frederick Douglass and Raoul Wallenberg
  • CVC Celebrates – Celebrating Black History Month through noted figures including Ida B. Wells, Frederick Douglass, Shirley Chisholm and Charles Sumner

 

Lesson Plans: 

These lesson plans include used learning skills, an essential question, suggested activities, suggested modifications and more

 

Fun Extras:

 

High School Resources:

Essays and Study Questions:

Enhance your knowledge of Congress by reading these essays and answering the study questions.

Related:

 

Art Guide:

The National Statuary Hall Collection in the U.S. Capitol is comprised of statues donated by individual states to honor notable persons in their history. The entire collection now consists of 100 statues contributed by 50 states with two statues each.
 
  • About the National Statuary Hall Collection — Learn about the history of the Collection, its statues and the Architect of the Capitol's role.
  • Art by State — Select your state, or another, from the drop down menu to see a list of statues, paintings and more.
  • State Statue Guide (PDF) — A printable version of all statues in the Collection, organized by state.

 

Fun Extras: