Learning by Hearings
Learning by Hearings is the Levin Center’s civic education program designed to help middle and 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!
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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 middle and high school content modules and after-school program, we provide 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
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Learning by Hearings News
Learning by Hearings co-hosts the Precedent President
On June 16, Learning by Hearings was honored to co-host a professional development titled The Precedent President in collaboration with the George Washington Teacher’s Institute.
Learning by Hearings co-hosts a successful PD!
Yesterday, Learning by Hearings co-hosted a successful professional development along with Wayne RESA, the Michigan Center for Civic Education, and the Historical Society of Michigan.
Learning by Hearings attends MCSS!
This past weekend, the Learning by Hearings team attended the yearly MCSS conference, this year held in Traverse City! We had 20 participants attend our
Michigan Youth in Government was a success!
We wrapped up our Michigan Youth in Government conferences last weekend. We ran 2 oversight committees using our new scenario, a deep dive into the
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