Civics & Citizenship

Founding-documents-based American civics education

Recapture Our American Civil Discourse

Candace teaches the fundamentals of liberty that inspired the American system of government.
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The Five First Amendment Freedoms Explained

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The First Amendment protects five freedoms: Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom to Assemble Peaceably, and Freedom to Petition the Government for a Redress of Grievances.  Here is the First Amendment as it appears in the U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” First Amendment Rights: Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition Freedom of Religion:  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…” Congress cannot establish a national church or religion according to the Constitution. Nor can Congress make laws that prohibit you from freely exercising your faith- or not practicing faith at all. Freedom of Speech: Speech is …

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Four Essential Truths Every Voter Should Know

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Why Every Vote Matters: Understanding Your Civic Responsibility 1. Voting is a right that comes with responsibility.  I know several people who maintain their property, pay their taxes on time, and take good care of their children, but don’t vote because “they don’t like politics” or “no candidates have my values.” Don’t they realize denying their responsibility to vote affects their children, their property, and their communities? The people who gain office make the laws you, your children, and your communities must live under. How to Move Beyond the 'Lesser of Two Evils' Mentality 2. Voting is not choosing between the lesser of two evils. Refuse to view voting as choosing between the lesser of two evils. Instead, vote to restrain evil. Recognize each candidate’s limits and failures, then vote for the one more likely to uphold the Constitution and the law. Building Hope Through Civic Participation, Not Just Election Results 3. Your hope must rest on doing …

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I educate Americans on who we are, what we stand for, and how to communicate with one another!
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Candace has a variety of teaching experiences and is a certified instructor for adults and homeschoolers through the Institute on the Constitution. Her hobbies include walking, world travel, Pilates, writing, and spending time with her grandsons. …

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Recent Articles

The Five First Amendment Freedoms Explained

The First Amendment protects five freedoms: Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom to Assemble Peaceably, and Freedom to Petition the Government for a Redress of Grievances.  Here is the First Amendment as it appears in the U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791: “Congress shall make no law respecting […]

Four Essential Truths Every Voter Should Know

Why Every Vote Matters: Understanding Your Civic Responsibility 1. Voting is a right that comes with responsibility.  I know several people who maintain their property, pay their taxes on time, and take good care of their children, but don’t vote because “they don’t like politics” or “no candidates have my values.” Don’t they realize denying […]

Should Voting Be Mandatory? Exploring Universal Voter Participation

Should you have a legal obligation to vote? Have you heard about Universal Civic Voting? I wrote about it two years ago ( https://civicsandcitizenship.org/common-sense-applied-3/). Connecticut did not pass this bill, but there is still interest in potentially reaching 100% voter participation in Connecticut by 2030. The Push for Voter Participation It seems the COVID pandemic […]

Three Common Misconceptions About America’s Founding Documents

I’ve heard it more times than I can count… “Judges are appointed for life.”  This is not true! I showed my Jr. high students a copy of Article III in the Constitution. I had them see it for themselves: “The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior…” […]

How Character, Consistency, Constitution, and Courage Should Guide American Voting

Why Race, Gender, and Class Dominate Election Choices Based on the news, Americans seem to make race, gender, or class a litmus test for voting for a candidate. Shouldn’t we emphasize character, consistency, the Constitution, and courage? If so, why don’t we make this the norm? It’s a citizenship issue, so let’s discuss it. The […]

Uncovering the Real Christopher Columbus: Facts, Myths, and His Impact

(This is an updated version of the original article) Think you know a lot about Columbus? After all, many of us rely on childhood stories or contemporary professors to assess Columbus. Will the real Columbus please stand? Enter historian Bill Federer. His uncanny knack for explaining historical facts with words, pictures, and word pictures is […]

Know Your Rights: The Bill of Rights Made Easy

Do you know what rights the Bill of Rights guarantees to you as a U.S. citizen? If you ask around, you might be surprised how many Americans aren’t sure. Let’s change that!  -The Bill of Rights is a part of the Constitution, not a separate document.  -Our rights are God-given, not government-granted.  -The five freedoms […]

Quick Quiz on U.S. Constitutional Basics for Students and Learners

Think you know the foundations of American government? Put your knowledge to the test with this quick quiz on the basics of the U.S. Constitution. Whether you’re a student, a lifelong learner, or just brushing up on your civics, these questions will help you review essential constitutional principles in a fun and interactive way. Quiz […]