In this classroom vignette, former middle school teacher Jared J. Reitz shares his conviction that "many of the skills needed for civics literacy are the same active literacy skills needed for language arts (and science and. . .for any subject that requires the ability to think critically and comprehend meaning)." Reitz details the importance of teaching civics as an "action verb," highlighting opportunities for such teaching and student participation through the Ohio High School Mock Trials, the Middle School Mock Trials, We the People, and Youth for Justice. (author/ebm)