Learning by Hearings
Learning by Hearings is the Levin Center’s civic education program designed to help high school students explore government, history, and public policy through hands-on learning.
We provide free lesson plans, simulation activities, and resources that align with Michigan civic education and U.S. history standards and engage students in real world problem-solving.
Find out more below!
About Learning by Hearings
The Levin Center’s civic education program, Learning by Hearings, provides robust, experiential education opportunities where participants learn about history, government, and current events while developing their capacity for critical thinking and working with people from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. Teachers can download our materials free for use in the classroom.
Through our Learning by Hearings high school content modules and after-school program, we provide high school students an opportunity to experience what it’s like to conduct fact-based, bipartisan oversight hearings.
Learning by Hearings lesson materials help teachers meet Michigan civic education and U.S. history standards by connecting classroom learning to real congressional investigations. Each lesson plan covers core civic education topics such as government accountability, oversight, and democratic values.
Lesson Plan Structure
Learning by Hearings aligns closely with Michigan’s civic education and U.S. history standards by helping students understand the structure of government, the purpose of congressional oversight, and the constitutional principles that guide public institutions. Through inquiry-based lessons and clear explanations of concepts such as separation of powers, executive orders, and jurisdiction, the curriculum supports required instruction on how government functions and how officials use investigative authority. Historical case studies give students concrete examples of how constitutional rights like free speech, due process, and privacy can be challenged during political conflict.
The program also reinforces Michigan’s expectations for civic reasoning and informed participation. Classroom simulations and role-play hearings allow students to practice evaluating evidence, questioning witnesses, and understanding the responsibilities and limits of elected officials. These activities develop the analytical and deliberative skills the standards emphasize while fitting naturally into units on constitutional government and the operation of American political institutions.
Key Learning Themes
Learning by Hearings offers classroom ready content that helps students understand congressional oversight and how government investigations work. Through inquiry based lessons and simulations, students explore essential civic themes such as:
- Congressional oversight and separation of powers
- Bipartisan decision making and the role of committees
- Checks and balances and limits on government authority
- Executive orders, jurisdiction, and the structure of congressional investigations
- Constitutional rights including due process, free speech, privacy, and academic freedom
- Historical examples of oversight misuse and the impact of disinformation
Teachers searching for lesson plans on civic engagement, Cold War history, media literacy, or government accountability will find a broad set of topics that align with required instruction, including:
- Media transparency and the role of the press in exposing government overreach
- Evidence based decision making and responsible use of investigative power
- Ethics in government and political accountability
- Civil liberties and protections against abuses of authority
- Public hearings, witness rights, and how Congress evaluates allegations of wrongdoing
- How citizens and institutions safeguard democratic values and respond to government misuse of power
These themes help educators meet curriculum goals while giving students practical tools to analyze government actions and understand how democracy functions in real time.
Upcoming Events
The 2026 MI Civics Summit will be on March 10th at Eastern Michigan University. Join us for a day of learning and conversation!
In an age of information overload where credible research, biased opinion, and outright misinformation often coexist, students need more than just content knowledge; they need the analytical skills to navigate, evaluate, and make sense of the sources they encounter. Dimension 3 of the C3 Framework emphasizes the ability to analyze sources and use evidence to support claims and conclusions within an inquiry process. Now more than ever, these skills are essential across all grade levels.
At the 2026 Annual MCSS Conference, educators will find an array of sessions and keynotes designed to meet this moment. Across two dynamic days, attendees will select from more than sixty concurrent sessions offering practical tools, research-based strategies, and age-appropriate approaches for building students’ source analysis and reasoning skills.
Whether you’re a veteran educator or new to the profession, this is an unparalleled opportunity to connect, collaborate, and grow alongside peers who share a commitment to preparing students for informed civic life.
Learning by Hearings News
New 8th Grade Lesson Plan Now Live!
Learning by Hearings announces the launch of a brand-new lesson plan on General St. Clair’s Defeat.
Learning by Hearings Fall Recap
Learning by Hearings spent the fall offering free professional developments all over Michigan.
Learning by Hearings on the radio!
Last week, we had the chance to talk to Dr. Robert Livernois, the host of WJR’s School Talks, about Learning by Hearings.
Learning by Hearings celebrates Patriot Week!
Patriot Week happens every year from September 11 to September 17.
Our Partners
