Frequently Asked Questions
   Fasttrack Civics
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What is Fasttrack Civics?

   Fasttrack Civics is a 168 page interactive learning guide with a matching Internet site for middle school Civics students.  It guides students and teachers through the essential facts, concepts, and vocabulary found in the Virginia Standards of Learning for middle school Civics and Economics.
 
   It is now sold as a master page binder along with a school or district wide site license that gives permission to photocopy its pages for students.

   Fasttrack Civics uses a graphics-rich and interactive design that helps students of all backgrounds build a solid foundation of knowledge and skills.  It has been used in hundreds of classrooms and by over 25,000 students in schools all across Virginia.
 
   The project was developed by a veteran Civics teacher eager to make the subject more engaging and personally meaningful for students.  It favors a strategy that blends direct instruction of core knowledge with wide opportunities for student directed learning and skills development.


What academic skills does the book emphasize?

   Fasttrack Civics emphasizes active student engagement in:

  • developing a core vocabulary of essential concepts and vocabulary.
  • developing an understanding of the historical roots of key Civics concepts.
  • developing skills for analyzing current political and economic issues.
  • developing an appreciation for the responsibilities and duties of citizenship.
  • developing skills in using Internet technology in their studies.
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   Just as importantly, students practice all year long how to take notes and keep an academic notebook binder neatly and well organized.  It's a skill that is too often neglected in our digital era, but one that will help students enormously not just in your classes, but also in later grades and in college. 


What support is available for teachers and students using Fasttrack Civics?  

   The Internet support site has a full set of Teacher Key pages for each section.  These are sized so they can be projected on a large screen for the note taking parts of your classes, and for activities and class discussion based on the pages.

  The site also has many additional resources, including PowerPoint presentations on Civics and economics topics, unit review questions, and interesting links to other Internet sites.

   Be sure to click on the link for Tips for Teachers for suggestions about using Fasttrack Civics in your classroom most effectively.

Does it align well with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs)? 

   ANNOUNCEMENT:  Our new Third Edition, updated to reflect the 2023 SOL revisions that take effect with the 2025 - 26 school year, will be available this summer (2025).  We expect to make the content sections available as free PDF file downloads for teachers and students, with no site license or other fee required for teachers to photocopy the pages for use with their own students.  Our goal is to make these materials as widely available as possible for teachers everywhere.

   Our current edition (Second Edition) follows the SOL content currently used for middle school Civics and Economics classes very closely.  It will remain available through the current 2024-25 school year.


What about the cost?

   Fasttrack Civics, Second Edition, is available through the 2024-25 school year in a master page binder format that includes all 168 pages of the study guide, printed one-sided on heavy paper for easy photocopying.  These are $75.00 each, plus shipping.  Please Note: Our new Third Edition will be available this summer as PDF file downloads only.  All content sections will be free of charge, with no site license or other fee required for teachers to photocopy the pages for use with their own students.  Our Internet Support Site will remain free to use, with no password required.

   Please click on the link for Prices and Ordering on this title's home page for more information.


May we place a link to pages on this web site?

   Teachers are welcome to place links from their own teacher web pages to this title's home page, to a section main page, or to other specific pages.  You may not, however, take or copy content to transfer to your web pages.  (Just like in a museum: You may visit and have your students visit, but you are not allowed to steal the exhibits!)

How can I get more information?

    Please contact our office in Springfield, Virginia, by phone at:  (703) 644 - 4612, or by email at:  ftm.contact@verizon.net

Click here for the main index page to see our other titles.