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Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: Delegates to the Constitutional Convention

For Students 3rd - 5th
The Constitutional Convention of May 1787 is explained in kid-friendly terms. Suggestions for research projects, resource links and some activities are included. The rest of the site has lots more information on the US government.
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: Edmund Randolph 1753 1813

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the University of Groningen profiles Edmund Randolph and chronicles his role as Attorney General of the US. Also includes his role as the presenter of the Virginia Plan to the Constitutional Convention.
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Lesson Plan
Ohio State University

Osu History Teaching Institute: u.s. Constitution: The Bill of Rights

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders will examine the Bill of Rights of the US Constitution.
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Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Us Government for Kids: Constitution Amendments

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about the amendments in the United States Constitution. Seventeen not included in the Bill of Rights of the twenty-seven total.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Preamble to the Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Republican Party History

For Students 9th - 10th
Article provides a history of the Republican party and details on the eighteen Presidents who have belonged to the Republican Party through George W. Bush.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Democratic Party History

For Students 9th - 10th
This article contains a summary of the history of the rise of the Democratic Party, its origins, leaders, presidents, and their beliefs.
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Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Us Government for Kids: United States Bill of Rights

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about the Bill of Rights of the United States government. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Free Soil Party

For Students 9th - 10th
This article contains an overview of the history of the Free Soil Party, its leaders, their beliefs, and eventually joined with the National Union Party to form the newly formed Republican Party in 1854.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Whig Party

For Students 9th - 10th
This article contains an overview of the history of the rise and fall of the Whig Party, its leaders, their beliefs, and the demise of the party over the issue of slavery.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Federalist Papers

For Students 9th - 10th
The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays that promoted the ratification of the United States Constitution and the nature of a Republican government.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: A Revolution in Social Law

For Students 5th - 8th
Being able to own land and having land availble to own brought about great change in the new American nation. Read about how this came about and why it reflected new republican ideals. See what other changes were reflected in new state...
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Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Kids History: The Magna Carta

For Students 3rd - 8th
Study the Magna Carta on this website. Learn about this famous document set the course for English Common Law as well as the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.
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eBook
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Impact of Slavery

For Students 5th - 8th
See how the ideals of freedom and equality garnered from the American Revolution were reflected in the early abolitionist movement and the banning of slavery in many Northern state constitutions as the new country was forming.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Antifederalists

For Students 5th - 8th
The Anti-federalists, those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution, were a diverse group. They did have specific fears about carrying out the precepts of the Constitution. Read about their fears, especially the main one, no...
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Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Articles of Confederation, 1781

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Gives a nice history of the Articles and also a summary of what they were and the problems that developed with their adoption. Includes links to the actual document.
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Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Holidays for Kids: Constitution Day and Week

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about Constitution Day and Week. The history and facts about this holiday that celebrates the US Constitution.
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Primary
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: The New Nation, 1783 1815

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This website documents the United States through its struggles to become a new nation. Site includes primary source documents for the Articles of Confederation, US Constitutional Convention, and George...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Ratifying the Constitution

For Students 5th - 8th
The delegates to the Constititional Convention produced a new governing document for the new United States. Read about how they determined to take the ratification process to the people of the states.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: State Constitutions

For Students 5th - 8th
The new states did a great deal of experimentation within the bounds of the new republican ideals. Read about three very different takes on how a state should be organized governmentally.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Growing Opposition

For Students 5th - 8th
George Washington's cabinet had strong personalities with often opposing opinions. Read about the differences between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson in regard to Hamilton's financial policies for the new country. See why these...
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Handout
Other

Us Gen Net: American Local History Network: The Struggle for Kansas

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed, 5-page article giving an in-depth look at the problems in Kansas after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
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Website
A&E Television

History.com: American Presidents: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
This easy-to-navigate site has James Madison's biography, significant events in his life, an image gallery, and several video clips.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: George Washington: The First Administration

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about George Washington's presidency. See why his role was so important in setting precedents to be followed by future chief executives. Find out about some of the warts in his personality too, all of which made him more human.