Do you teach civics in your homeschool? In a recent, non-scientific and totally spontaneous survey I took among homeschooling families I know, 4 out of 6 “admitted” to me that they neglected to teach civics. Honestly, I don’t even remember taking a civics class in high school, and so I consulted my good friend Mr. Webster, to see how he defined that particular subject.

The online dictionary defines “civics” as: a social science dealing with the rights and duties of citizens” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civics). Considering recent stories and headlines in the news and on TV, it would appear to me to be an important and valuable lesson to teach our children these days. And if you’re not entirely “on board” about the importance of teaching civics yet, read this article by Richard Dreyfuss (yes, the actor) on Teaching Kids to Love Democracy (http://www.edutopia.org/civics-unrest-teaching-kids-to-love-democracy).

Teaching civics doesn’t have to be an overwhelming or super-serious study, and it certainly doesn’t have to be (or should be!) something relegated to a high-school-level curriculum. But the importance of teaching our children the rights and duties of being a citizen cannot be understated!