Curated OER
Declaration of Independence
Twelfth graders summarize sections of the Declaration of Independence and share their interpretations with classmates. They write essays on the Declaration or an essay tracing the rights of minorities from the Revolution to the present.
Curated OER
US Constitution And Amendments
Learners become familiar with the US Constitution and consider how it affects their lives. They research the Preamble to articulate the purposes of government, compile collages, and research the separation of powers within each branch of...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
September 17 is recognized in the United States as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. The purpose of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is to commemorate the creation and signing of the supreme law of the land and to honor and...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Basic Ideas in the Preamble to the Const [Pdf]
This lesson explores some ideas in the Preamble to the Constitution. Young scholars learn the importance of the words, We the People. The lesson emphasizes that the power to govern belongs to the people who have created the government to...
National Constitution Center
National Constitution Center: Interactive Constitution
This is a wonderful way to explore the US Constitution. The actual text of the Constitution comes first, then an excellent explanation of the text follows. In addition, most of the Amendments have essays by scholars on opposing sides of...
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Understanding the Preamble
A tutorial that examines the Preamble to the Constitution line by line.
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Comparing Constitutions: Florida vs. the u.s.
The US Constitution and the Constitution of Florida are compared in this tutorial and how each incorporates the system of federalism. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
iCivics
I Civics: The Constitution: Rules for Running a Country
Handy introduction to the Constitution of the United States, which has been our government's rulebook since 1789.
US National Archives
Nara: Charters of Freedom: Constitution of the United States
Comprehensive overview of the U.S. Constitution. Places the Constitution in context with two other founding charters of American democracy and government, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Includes access to digital...
Curated OER
History Matters: The Omaha Platform: Launching the Populist Party
This History Matters website provides the Populist Party platform, as well as a brief write-up introducing this primary resource, which marked the formation of a new -- though short lived -- political party.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement:the Preamble to the Constitution
These step-by-step lesson plans help students understand the historical background to the U.S. Constitution. Students simulate a hypothetical situation where they must create their own rules and figure out how to work together. Links to...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Preamble to the Constitution: A Close Reading Lesson
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Preamble to the Constitution: A Close Reading Lesson." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: The Preamble: More Than an Introduction
Strategies to help learners learn the preamble of the Constitution. Includes a found poem lesson.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Preamble
This resource provides information about the Preamble to the United States Constitution.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Independence Day: Fundamental Ideas About Government
In this lesson, students will examine some of the fundamental ideas about government that is contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. When the lesson is completed, students should be able to...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: The Preamble
The preamble is the introduction to the Constitution. It outlines the general goals of the framers: to create a just government and to ensure peace, adequate national defense, and a healthy, free nation. With its first three words, "We...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Constitution Day
Website page celebrates Constitution Day (September 17, 1787) commemorating the day on which the U.S. Constitution was signed by the delegates. Features quotes, discussion and links to realted resources.
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: u.s. Constitution: The Preamble
Students will be able to explain the meaning of the Preamble to the Constitution.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Declaration of Independence (Part Ii)
At this site from Congress for Kids you can read a short synopsis of the Declaration of Independence and then complete the scrambled word puzzle by clicking on "Show What You Know."
American Bar Association
American Bar Association: What Does the Preamble of the Constitution Mean? [Pdf]
A lesson plan to help students understand the preamble of the U. S. Constitution.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Preamble to the Constitution
This article contains the history, meaning, and words to the Preamble to the Constitution which encompassed the reasons why the thirteen original colonies separated from Great Britain to become an independent nation.
Other
Schoolhouse Rock: The Preamble
This site from Schoolhouse Rock, History Rock, provides the lyrics to a song called The Preamble. Need to learn the Preamble and what it means? This catchy tune from the popular 1970s cartoon series, Schoolhouse Rock, will help you to...