Today's students are the next generation of engaged citizens. Civic engagement habits are built early, and classrooms can be a great place to spark that interest.
As part of the Office of the Secretary of State's Civic Engagement Initiative, our office offers free resources designed to help you bring civics to life in your classroom. Upper elementary teachers can explore the basics of government and civic life with our hands-on Civics Activity Book, while high school educators can bring elections and civic participation into focus with ready-to-use lesson plans.
Want to take it a step further? Use the request an appearance form to ask Secretary Howe to speak with your students. From how elections work to why every North Dakotan's participation matters, Secretary Howe enjoys connecting directly with students about the role they'll play in our state's future.
Civics Guide for Students
North Dakota Democracy in Action is a new civics activity book designed to help upper elementary students discover how democracy works and what it means to be an engaged citizen.
Created for students in grades 4–5, this book uses easy-to-understand information, activities, and examples to introduce students to the foundations of civics. Topics include:
- What civics is and why it matters
- Democracy and voting
- The three branches of government
- How a bill becomes a law
- Local, state, and federal government
- Facts about North Dakota
The activity book is designed to be a practical resource for teachers and an engaging way for students to learn about their role in our democracy.
Get the Activity Book
Free copies of the activity book will be distributed to fourth-grade public school teachers across North Dakota in August 2026.
You can download a printable version of the activity book or request copies while supplies last (shipping cost may apply).
Provide Feedback About the Book
If you could take a moment to provide feedback about the activity books, it would be greatly appreciated! It will help us determine whether there's enough interest to print more in the future and what improvements to consider if we do.