Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 9th Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 9th amendment of the Bill of Rights that states that the Constitution of America does not include all of the rights of the people and the states.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 5th Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 5th amendment of the Bill of Rights detailing the need for 'due process of the law' before punishing a person and the right to a trial by jury as detailed in the Constitution.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 2nd Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 2nd amendment of the Bill of Rights detailing the right to keep a weapon and use it to protect themselves.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 1st Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 1st amendment of the Bill of Rights detailing freedom of religion, the freedom of the press, and freedom of expression in the Constitution.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 6th Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 6th amendment of the Bill of Rights detailing the right to a fair and speedy trial and covering the subject of witnesses.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 7th Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 7th amendment of the Bill of Rights detailing trial by jury in civil cases and the rights of those being sued.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 8th Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 8th amendment of the Bill of Rights stating limitations on imposing excessive bail, excessive fines, or any cruel and unusual punishments.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 4th Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 4th amendment of the Bill of Rights stating that a person or their property cannot be searched unless there is "probable cause" that a crime has been committed.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 3rd Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 3rd amendment of the Bill of Rights relating to the early Quartering Act with a summary stating that soldiers cannot take, or live, in a person's house without permission of the owner.
Digital History
Digital History: The Constitution [Pdf]
Find the text of the Constitution and amendments along with an explanation of each article and section. [pdf]
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Eighth Amendment
This resource contains the text of the Eighth Amendment and legal annotations.
Other
Tench Coxe and the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, 1787 1823
A scholarly article about Tench Coxe, his support for ratifying the Constitution, the roles he played in the Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison administrations, and especially his analysis and defense of the Second Amendment.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?
This unit explores the timeless qualities of The U.S. Constitution, the opportunities to amend it, and how it is a pillar of the American identity, through these activities, videos, and outside resources.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: The Free Exercise of Religion in America
Activity on first amendment rights and the protection of religious freedom. Students develop a deep understanding of religious liberty and how it has been interpreted as they examine the contoversies surrounding individual rights versus...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Constitution
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart is an in depth Activote questionnaire relating to our Constitution. Students should understand the basic concepts of the Constitution, checks and balances, separation of powers, and...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Constitutional Principles
James Madison knew that a key challenge of maintaining just government was framing it in such a way that the government would be forced to control itself. How does a system of separated powers-and the checks and balances built into those...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: We the People: Constitution Day Pdf [Pdf]
This teachers guide has activities for Constitution Day.
Other
Center for Individual Rights
The Center "is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to the defense of individual liberties." The CIR presents their philosophy on civil rights, free expression, religious liberty, and federalism.
The History Place
The History Place: A New Nation (1784 to 1790)
This site from The History Place provides a timeline of American history between 1784 and 1790. Mentions many famous people and events of the era. Links to John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, James Madison, the Constitution, Bill...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: National Security and Freedom
In-depth and comprehensive learning activity in which students analyze the debate surrounding the Patriot Act and apply constitutional reasoning to formulate opinions about the balance between national security and right to privacy....
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Developments in Democracy
Activity for high school students in which they apply Constitutional reasoning to explore the topic of equality for women and debate the necessity of an Equal Rights Amendment. Site provides comprehensive background and resource material...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: The Major Debates at the Constitutional Convention
Activity on the orgins of the U.S. Constitution and the debates surrounding it. Includes questions for discussion and small group learning activity in which students evaluate the fairness of state representation within the structure of...
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.
Other
Barefoots World: The Constitution for the United States
This site offers historical background for each of the amendments through quotes from writings of the time period.