The Constitution

Understanding the United States Constitution is one of the most valuable lessons students can learn in school. It is imperative that they know about their rights and responsibilities as citizens before they become registered voters. It can help them make informed decisions. In an era in which citizens’ rights and the constitutionality of legislation is in the news almost daily, it is especially important for students to know the ins and outs of this document.

A great way to introduce students to the preamble of the Constitution is School House Rock’s "Preamble to the Constitution" video. Many students have never seen this iconic 1970's cartoon and may find it both entertaining and catchy. This can be especially helpful for teachers who want their students to memorize the Preamble. There are additional Schoolhouse Rock videos about women’s suffrage, how a bill becomes a law, and the three branches of government, all of which students are sure to enjoy.

Another introductory activity that students should find engaging is a class poll to see how many of our civil rights students can identify. You can present the class with real rights as spelled out in the Constitution and “fake” rights which you make up. You can give students time to try to determine which of the rights are legitimate and which are fabricated. Then you can discuss what motivated students’ decision-making.

For students who are interested in current events, you can have them watch the nightly news for a week and keep a log of all Constitution-related stories. This is a perfect way to demonstrate the relevance of this living document to students’ daily lives.

It is also important to analyze the documents which influenced the Constitution, such as the Magna Carta, the Mayflower Compact, the English Bill of Rights and the Articles of Confederation. Students should read excerpts from each of these documents to see where the ideas for the Constitution came from.

For teachers looking for a more in-depth activity, that will really give students a deeper understanding of the issues with which the framers of the Constitution dealt with, consider holding a Constitutional Convention. Assign each student a role (e.g.: Alexander Hamilton, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin) and encourage them to come in costume on the day of the convention. Students will have to research the individual’s stance on a number of different issues, prepare and deliver a speech and act in accordance with the individual’s beliefs. For more ideas to help students learn about the Constitution see the lessons below.

Constitution Lesson Plans:

Constitutional Period Parade

This unique lesson requires students to conduct independent research on a particular aspect of the Constitution and create a parade float to symbolize it. While it may not be practical for all teachers to actually create a parade float, a model float can easily be created out of cardboard, small wagons, or even skateboards as suggested in the lesson. Not only will students develop a good understanding of the Constitution, but they will also be given the opportunity to be both creative and artistic while demonstrating their knowledge. 

Constitution Day Center Activities

This lesson is an excellent opportunity to help students develop an understanding of the basics of the Constitution. By conducting online research, completing online quizzes and working on a crossword puzzle students can reinforce and master the most important information and facts about the Constitution. 

The Constitutional Convention: Four Founding Fathers You May Never Have Met

In addition to developing a solid understanding of the Constitution, it is also important for students to learn about the individuals who had a hand in crafting this founding document. The lives of Alexander Hamilton of New York, Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut, Edmund Randolph of Virginia and William Paterson of New Jersey are integral to the study of the people who contributed to America’s guiding principles. 

Constitution Workshop

This lesson provides an excellent opportunity for students to get practice analyzing primary documents. After learning about a particular article, section or amendment in depth, students (working either individually or in small groups) can present a brief summary to the rest of the class. Next, the class as a whole can piece together its analysis of the Constitution and several additional documents.