The Century Book for Young Americans by Elbridge S. Brooks is an excellent introduction to the United States government for students of all ages. Told in story form, the book explores the Constitution, the office of president, Congress, the Supreme Court, and other institutions and symbols.
There are 16 weeks of lessons — enough for a half-year of study, or a full year-long course if you allow two weeks for each chapter.
We covered one chapter each week, rounding out the studies with additional information, suggestions, reading recommendations, helps for Mom, and notebooking resources. You’ll find links to the lessons listed here as they are added.
Free download options for the text can be found in the introduction.
Free Civics Studies Lesson 1: The Government
Read the current chapter online: “The Government” Suggestions Learn more about The World’s Fair at Chicago. According to Mr. Dunlap, what is “an un-American American”? Make a list of five places nearContinue reading “Free Civics Studies Lesson 1: The Government”
Free Civics Studies Lesson 2: The Constitution
Read the current chapter online: “The Constitution” Suggestions Learn who the delegates from New York were who “got mad” and went home (Hamilton was not one of them). Learn more about othersContinue reading “Free Civics Studies Lesson 2: The Constitution”
Free Civics Studies Lesson 3: The President
Read the current chapter online: “The President” Suggestions The “egg-shaped” reception room is currently known as The Yellow Oval Room. Learn more about the “Resolute” desk. You’ll find more about the ill-fatedContinue reading “Free Civics Studies Lesson 3: The President”
Free Civics Studies Lesson 4: The Cabinet
Read the current chapter online: “The Cabinet” Suggestions We’ll have to forgive the children’s uncle for his rather low (and outdated) view of the nature of girls…. Meanwhile, when the book wasContinue reading “Free Civics Studies Lesson 4: The Cabinet”
Free Civics Studies Lesson 5: The Senate
Read the current chapter online: “The Senate” Suggestions In 1894, when the book was published, streetcars were used to transport tourists. Read more about A Streetcar City at the Smithsonian. View theContinue reading “Free Civics Studies Lesson 5: The Senate”
Free Civics Studies Lesson 6: The House of Representatives
Read the current chapter online: “The House of Representatives” Suggestions Learn more about Statuary Hall. Learn more about the Old Hall of the House (now Statuary Hall). View Westward the Course ofContinue reading “Free Civics Studies Lesson 6: The House of Representatives”
Free Civics Studies Lesson 7: The Supreme Court
Read the current chapter online: “The Supreme Court” Suggestions View the different Smithsonian museums, galleries, and zoo. Learn more about the “crypt.” “Just like the deepest dungeon ‘neath the castle moat inContinue reading “Free Civics Studies Lesson 7: The Supreme Court”
Free Civics Studies Lesson 8: The State & Defense Departments
Read the current chapter online: “The State, War, and Navy Departments” Suggestions Learn more about the Department of Defense from The Book of Knowledge: Congress is also given power to declare warContinue reading “Free Civics Studies Lesson 8: The State & Defense Departments”
Free Civics Studies Lesson 9: The Treasury & The Post Office
Read the current chapter online: “The Treasury and the Post-Office” Suggestions Learn more about “The Soldiers Home.” View the Winfield Scott statue mentioned in the book. Learn more about “the hero ofContinue reading “Free Civics Studies Lesson 9: The Treasury & The Post Office”
Free Civics Studies Lesson 10: The Departments of Justice, Interior, & Agriculture
Read the current chapter online: “The Departments of Justice, Interior, & Agriculture” Suggestions Rock Creek Park was the third park established by the government and was authorized in 1890. View the finalContinue reading “Free Civics Studies Lesson 10: The Departments of Justice, Interior, & Agriculture”
Free Civic Studies Lesson 11: The Office-Holder
Read the current chapter online: “The Office-Holder” Suggestions Compare the number of government workers mentioned in the book with the number in recent years. Calculate the percent increase in the number ofContinue reading “Free Civic Studies Lesson 11: The Office-Holder”
Free Civic Studies Lesson 12: The Flag
Read the current chapter online: “The Flag of the Union” Suggestions Learn more about the flag flying over the Capitol Building. Make a flip book explaining the four things the author saysContinue reading “Free Civic Studies Lesson 12: The Flag”
Free Civic Studies Lesson 13: The State, the City, and the Town
Read the current chapter online: “The State, the City, and the Town” Suggestions Learn more about the Washington Monument. Take in the view from one of those “slits” in the Washington Monument.Continue reading “Free Civic Studies Lesson 13: The State, the City, and the Town”
Free Civic Studies Lesson 14: The Citizen
Read the current chapter online: “The Citizen” Suggestions Narration: Explain the meaning of “the well-balanced law-maker becomes so only through experience and growth.” At the time the book was written, women didContinue reading “Free Civic Studies Lesson 14: The Citizen”
Free Civics Studies Lesson 15: The National Capital
Read the current chapter online: “The National Capital” Suggestions Learn more about the history of the Smithsonian and its benefactor, James Smithson. Learn more about the Marine band. If you are keepingContinue reading “Free Civics Studies Lesson 15: The National Capital”
Free Civics Studies Lesson 16: America’s Marvels
Read the current chapter online: “America’s Marvels and America’s Station” Suggestions Learn more about the Statue of Liberty. Copy “The New Colossus,” the poem written by Emma Lazarus that adorns the pedestalContinue reading “Free Civics Studies Lesson 16: America’s Marvels”
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