Curated OER
Conflicting Ideas about the Completed Constitution
Students analyze and discuss the opinions about the US Constitution as given by Benjamin Franklin and George Mason.
Curated OER
A Dream and an Idea: Searching for a Roadmap to Create a Country
Students compare and contrast opposing visions of government held by the founding fathers. They evaluate the roles of historical leaders in shaping the U.S. as an emerging nation.
Library of Congress
Loc: Thomas Jefferson's Library
Resource showcases the holdings of Thomas Jefferson's personal library built around the themes of memory, reason, and imagination.
Library of Congress
Loc: Journals of the Continental Congress
These journals from the Continental Congress of the United States will provide students with a greater understanding of the foundations of American government as established in the late 18th century. Includes handwritten documents by...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Living the Revolution: America, 1789 1820: Politics
Primary source materials from the post-Revolutionary War period in America, 1789-1820, which depict the sense of politics in a newly formed nation with a developing national identity. Includes reading guide, questions for discussion and...
![C3 Teachers: u.s. History Module: Did Founders Want Government to Work? [Pdf] Unit Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "C3 Teachers: u.s. History Module: Did Founders Want Government to Work? [Pdf] Unit Plan")
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: u.s. History Module: Did Founders Want Government to Work? [Pdf]
A comprehensive learning module on the system of government established by the founders that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and primary source materials, followed by a summative performance task....
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Making Friends With Franklin
Come meet Benjamin Franklin and some of his scientific friends. Learn about them through the eyes of early American portraiture. Following the introduction are three great lesson plans for teachers of language arts, science, and visual...
Other
Constitution Facts
How much do you really know about the most important document in United States' history? Take the quiz and test your knowledge. If you need some additional information, click on the US Constitution and Amendments tab and play the...
Other
Neatline: The Digital Declaration of Independence
An interactive Declaration of Independence. Passages of the original document are accompanied by typed text, and each founding father has a biography, a portrait, and a map showing where they are from.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: Portrait of George Washington
Historical information on famous painting of George Washington by Pearle, with interactive features to click and learn meaning behind items in the portrait and links to an in-depth history of the painting as well as virtual visit to the...
US National Archives
National Archives and Records Administration: Founders Online
This site provides the texts of nearly 200,000 historical documents related to six Founding Fathers, including the papers of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. The...
US National Archives
National Archives: Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat
Benjamin Franklin was the only man to help shape all the major documents that established the United States. Students will review those documents and match the correct document to its description. Upon completion, students will choose...
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based: Reading Like a Historian: Declaration of Independence
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to investigate central historical questions. In this investigation students weigh contrasting interpretations by prominent historians to answer the question: Why...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Thomas Jefferson Won the Election
The election of 1801 shaped the way we elect our president today, as Congress adopted the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution. Features portraits of Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Religious Rights in Conflict
What happens when rights conflict? Explore sample conflicts: Free press vs. fair trial, religious rights in conflict, and Singapore: model society or city of fear? Great learning activities and lesson plans for teachers and students.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: James Monroe
A fascinating look at the life of President James Monroe, and his impact on history. Provides brief articles, portraits, as well as photos of documents from the archives of The Library of Congress.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Constitutional Convention: Delegates: Biographies
Illustrated biographical sketches of delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, organized by state delegation.
Other
Constitution Day
Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by thirty-nine brave men on September 17, 1787, recognizing all who, are born in the U.S. or by naturalization, have become citizens. Learn about each of...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: John Adams
An overall look at the life of America's second president, John Adams (1735-1826 CE). Contains small articles of information, as well as portraits, actual photos of inaugural addresses, obituary notices, and more.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Amazing Americans
Checklist of inventors, politicians, performers, activists, and ordinary people who made America. Meet Harry Houdini, Langston Hughes, Buffalo Bill Cody and dozens of other famous and interesting American adventurers, presidents,...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: James Madison
A brief biography of James Madison. Find out why James Madison was called the father of the constitution. Learn how his life affected the United States. (In Spanish)
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Benjamin Franklin
A brief review of the life of one of the founding fathers of the United States. Learn about the important events in the life of Ben Franklin - inventor, patriot, musician, scientist, statesman, and more. (In Spanish)
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Four Founding Fathers
The lesson plan provides varies information and links to help teach about the Constitutional Convention and learn about the Founding Fathers.
Digital History
Digital History: The Debate Over Ratifying the Constitution [Pdf]
Read about why ratification of the United States' new constitution was such a struggle. Find arguments for and against ratification, and discover who supported the Federalist position and who the Anti-Federalist position. [PDF]