Curated OER
Ratification of the Constitution
Eighth graders view two resources from the ratification debates and infer the motives and concerns of people in the two states involved. They write a newspaper editorial in favor or opposed to ratifying the Constitution.
Curated OER
Constitution Week
Young scholars prepare one-minute broadcasts about events leading to the writing of the Constitution and current issues in the next election. Students read their broadcasts on the school P.A. system each morning during Constitution Week.
Curated OER
Supreme Court Rulings
Become familiar with the constitution and amendments with an in depth opportunity to utilize media center resources. Groups of students focus on an amendment then make a presentation to the class.
Curated OER
Reorganizing the Bill of Rights
Eighth graders look critically at the 26 amendments to the United States Constitution.
Curated OER
The Constitution: Our Plan for Government
Students investigate the importance of separation of powers, checks, balances, and judicial review. They also investigate how national and state governments are linked.
Curated OER
Justice
Pupils consider the role of justice in the formation of the United States and in the operation of today's criminal justice system. They investigate symbols associated with justice and references to justice in the Constitution.
Curated OER
US Constitution And Amendments
Pupils 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...
Curated OER
Paving the Road to the Constitution
Eighth graders assess the strengths and weaknessess of the Articles of Confederation as related to the United States and North Carolina. They demonstrate an argument for or against ratification of the United States Constitution.
Curated OER
Citizenship Day
Students examine the events which led to the observance of Citizenship Day, and analyze the role of the media in influencing public opinion on citizenship. They research the concept of citizenship through debate, and various creative...
Curated OER
The Bill of Rights
Ninth graders research the Bill of Rights and consider which freedoms are the most important for them. They consider the Bill in detail and then write to their Congressperson about something they would like to see done or changed.
Curated OER
We the People... What Conflicting Opinions Did the Framers Have about the Completed Constitution?
Students study some of the disagreements about the Constitution which set the stage for the debates over its ratification. These are significant because many have to do with issues that are still discussed and debated today.
Curated OER
The Bill of Rights and the News
Learners examine current news stories and from them develop "BIG" questions related to individual and group rights. They then relate their questions to the U.S. Constitution and supreme court decisions.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Semantic Constitution
A review of the U.S. Constitution is presented by topics and concepts. A full list of topics gives an alphabetical listing, that when clicked, provides the actual text.
University of Groningen
American History: Presidents: James Madison: Proposed Amendments to Constitution
Text of James Madison's "Proposed Amendments to the Constitution," June 8, 1789. Madison states his reasons for the amendments in view of the anti-federalist feelings in many of the colonies. The proposal explains in Madison's own words...
National Constitution Center
National Constitution Center: A Constitutional Timeline
Scroll through the interactive timeline to learn about the U.S. Constitution.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: The United States Constitution
Take a close look at this document that was written in Philadelphia in 1787. It gives us the rights that we still have today. Select a thumbnail, and then roll over the picture to zoom in.
Library of Congress
Loc: Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: The Making of the u.s. Constitution
The introduction to the first volume of the Annals of Congress, in which there is a short history of the creation of the Constitution, and the text of the Constitution as it was first written.
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...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Fourteenth Amendment Part I
This video segment from The Supreme Court introduces viewers to the 14th amendment.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Resolution of the Constitutional Convention
The text of the Resolution of the Constitutional Convention authorizing the submission of the Constitution of the United States to the legislatures of the states to be ratified by state conventions.
Savvas Learning
Pearson: Government by the People
An easy to follow flow chart that shows how the term "Government by the people," has changed over the years. Make sure to click on each box of information to get a more in depth description.
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Exploring Constitutional Law
Although the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, its interpretation is open to many opinions, causing great controversies. Students can read the Constitution as well as the many issues that surround the document. If that proves...
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: American Revolution: American Revolution as a Constitutional Controversy
The National Humanities Center provides an essay on the issue, circumstances and explanations for the growing radicalism of the Colonists in the years leading up to the constitution.
iCivics
I Civics: Curriculum Units
A large collection of Social Studies units, WebQuests, and games that focuses on teaching students how government works and the importance of being responsible, informed American citizens. Units are linked to state standards. A teacher...