Click Here For:  Selected Subject Specific Lessons

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National Constitution Center

Numerous lesson plans, by grade level, related to the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights and specific amendments.

  http://www.constitutioncenter.org/education/ForEducators/LessonPlans/index.shtml

 

National Archives and Records Administration:  Lessons with Documents

Lessons and activities that address constitutional issues, correlate to national academic standards, and encourage the analysis of primary source documents. The lessons that have been developed are arranged according to historical era.

          http://www.archives.gov/digital_classroom/constitution_community.html

DoHistory

DoHistory invites you to explore the process of piecing together the lives of ordinary people in the past. It is an experimental, interactive case study based on the research that went into the book and film A Midwife's Tale, which were both based upon the remarkable 200 year old diary of midwife/healer Martha Ballard (compiled between 1785-1812).  Although DoHistory is centered on the life of Martha Ballard, you can learn basic skills and techniques for interpreting fragments that survive from any period in history.

http://www.dohistory.org/

CONSTITUTION DAY

(NYS Education Department Recommendations are #8)

As you are probably aware, the United States Department of Education issued a new statutory requirement for implementation of an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution, on a date designated by statute (September 17) as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day—by all districts receiving federal funds:  “Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.”

This Congressional initiative is authorized by Section 111 of Division J of Pub. L. 108-447, the ``Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005,'' Dec. 8, 2004; 118 Stat. 2809, 3344-45 (Section 111).  Section 111 requires that Constitution Day be held on September 17 of each year, commemorating the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution. However, when September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, Constitution Day shall be held during the preceding or following week.   Section 111 does not authorize funds to carry out this requirement, and Section 111(d) indicates that this section shall apply ``without fiscal year limitation.'' Accordingly, the Assistant Deputy Secretary intends that this notice pertain to this fiscal year and all subsequent years.

As school districts attempt to meet this requirement, many public and private resources are being created on the internet to assist teachers in their planning and implementation of events for September 17.  In 2005, these events are to be held either the week preceding or following this Saturday date.  Sources recommended by various groups and newsletters include:

1.  The National Constitution Center http://www.constitutioncenter.org/

(currently visit Educational Resources and Explore the Constitution) , in partnership with the Bill of Rights Institute, the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools and others, will offer educational and programming materials to schools, federal agencies and other institutions nationwide to help them organize events to commemorate Constitution Day, September 17.  These materials will be available at little or no cost on a new, under-construction website, http://www.constitutionday.us   This initiative is under the auspices of the National Constitution Center’s Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach.  

• National Constitution Center –Activities to Explore the Constitution

          http://www.constitutioncenter.org/explore/Welcome/index.shtml

2.  Center For Civics Education is creating many one day lessons related to their We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program    http://www.civiced.org/index.php

3.  The Library of Congress' repositories for Constitutional documents and information may be accessed at:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/bdsds/bdsdhome.html.

4.  The National Archives also has a Web site with a scan of the U.S. Constitution, Questions, Answers and Meeting the Founding Fathers at
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html

            Specific Related Activities to celebrate Constitution Day

http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-workshop/

5.  A Collection of Constitution based lesson plans which may be easily modified for all grade levels  from  http://edsitement.neh.gov/

        *Balancing Three Branches at Once: Our System of Checks and Balances (3-5)

        http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=222

        *The First Amendment: What's Fair in a Free Country? (3-5)

        http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=339

        *The Preamble to the Constitution: How Do You Make a More Perfect Union? (3-5)

        http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=233

        *Before and Beyond the Constitution: What Should a President Do(6-8)

         http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=458

        *The Constitutional Convention: Four Founding Fathers You May Never Have Met  (6-8)

        http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=401

        *The Constitutional Convention: What the Founding Fathers Said(6-8)

        http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=402

        *The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments  (6-8)

        http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=425

        *James Madison: From Father of the Constitution to President (9-12)

        http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=561

6.  The Thinkfinity Site (previously Marco Polo) has extensive information related to the Constitution.

7.  The Center For Civic Education

The Center is dedicated to a wide range of civic programs including "WE THE PEOPLE". The principal goals of the Center's programs are to help students develop (1) an increased understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy and the fundamental principles and values upon which they are founded, (2) the skills necessary to participate as effective and responsible citizens, and (3) the willingness to use democratic procedures for making decisions and managing conflict.  Resources, Websites, Teaching Materials, etc.

http://www.civiced.org/

8.  Roots To Freedom

FREE Constitution Day Curriculum, Teacher's Guide Book for A More Perfect Union Video, Why celebrate Constitution Day?, An Historical Overview of the Constitution, FREE Fun Activities and Learning Resources: Framing the US Constitution word hunt, The Bill of Rights word hunt, The Constitution at a Glance

http://www.rootsoffreedom.org/

 

National Constitution Day  8.  Constitution Day Materials from the New York State Education Department Educational institutions which receive Federal funding are required to hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on September 17 of each year. Since this date falls on a Saturday in 2005, schools can celebrate Constitution Day on Friday, September 16. Pub. L. 108–447, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005,/ Dec. 8,2004; 118 Stat. 2809, 3344–45 “Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.” The following is a list of Web sites and resources designed to prepare teachers for National Constitution Day. This is not an all-inclusive list, but a sample of major Web resources provided to educators without cost. Contact these organizations directly for further information about their resources.   The Bill of Rights Institute  http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/teach/freeresources/constitutionday/ Offers free educational and programming materials to schools to help teachers organize events to celebrate Constitution Day, including: 2 Constitution lesson plans (one for high school and one for middle school); a biographical essay about James Madison, the Father of the Constitution; a Founders Gallery with images of the Founders; lesson plans about the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment. The Center for Civic Education  (www.civiced.org) Seven lesson plans will be posted on this Web site in August 2005. These age-appropriate lessons are suggested for use at each of the following grade levels: Kindergarten, Grades 1 - 2, Grades 3 - 4, Grades 5 - 6, Grades 7 - 8, Grades 9 - 10, Grades 11 - 12. Permission to duplicate these lessons is given provided the following credit line is used: Reprinted with permission from the Center for Civic Education. Copyright 2005. Center for Civic Education. www.civiced.org Constitutional Rights Foundation                                                                              (www.crf-usa.org/constitution_day/constitution_day_home.htm) A series of free online lessons, resources from the CRF catalog, and Internet links to help educators design their own Constitution Day program. The Constitution for Kids  (www.usconstitution.net/constkidsK.html) The Constitution for Grades K - 3 includes a basic fact sheet with a link for pictures of the Constitution. Justice Learning  http://www.justicelearning.org/ A site based on National Public Radio's Justice Talking series in cooperation with the National Archives and Records Administration, the New York Times Knowledge Network, and other partners, this site features video and audio material, and lesson plans on the Constitution, all free of charge. Library of Congress  (www.loc.gov/teachers/) Explore "The Learning Page" and "American Memory" sections for lesson plans, teaching strategies, and digital documents about American history and culture. A 3-day lesson on drafting the Constitution:  http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/lessons/constitu/const-l1.html "The Constitution: Counter Revolution or National Salvation?" lesson:  http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/broad/intro.html Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention 1774-1789: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/bdsds/ National Archives  (www.archives.gov) Questions and answers about the U.S. Constitution by Sol Bloom, National Archives:  http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_q_and_a.html Scan of the U.S. Constitution:                                           http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution.html Teaching with Documents: Observing Constitution Day: http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/ National Constitution Center  (www.constitutioncenter.org) Constitution Day: www.constitutionday.us provides background on the day and a bank of resources, including I Signed the Constitution, a tool kit which enables a school, federal agency or any organization to set up a kiosk for Constitution Day where citizens can sign the Constitution or decide to abstain. The tool kit is accompanied by education materials and easy to follow how-to instructions. Elementary, Middle, and High School Lesson Plans from the Constitution Center:  http://www.constitutioncenter.org/education/ForEducators/LessonPlans/index.shtml The White House  (www.whitehouse.gov/kids/constitution) Constitution facts, quizzes, videos, and other resources.

 

PBS:  Teacher Source

Over 4000 lesson plans and activities for all grade levels. Most a directly related to the hundreds of PBS video presentations (most available through BOCES)  

http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/

        PBS:  Social Studies Home Page  Highly recommended--please visit.

        

Pro Teacher Home Page for all US History Lessons

 

Sample:                                                                                                   

Pro Teacher Lesson Plans on American Government

SELECTED LESSON PLANS

These lesson plans have been reviewed and designated as exceptional by educators participating in our Teach American History Program.

Historical Time Period:     Current Events

Title of the Lesson Plan:  Bill of Rights in the News Activities

Grade Level:                        Middle or High School

General Description:         This site organizes activities based on Bill of Rights issues in the news; however, you must click on the “Daily Bill of Rights in the News Headlines” near the bottom to get access to the actual current article links.  The daily headlines are broken down into issue categories such as Religion, Personal Liberty, and Expression.  While formal lesson plans are not given, the articles themselves lend themselves to many classroom activities.

URL:                                      www.billofrightsinstitute.org/article.php?sid=417

Historical Time Period:     Current Events or Civics

Title of the Lesson Plan:  Rounding Up of “The Enemy:”  Civil Liberties and National Security

Grade Level:                        Middle or High School

General Description:         This lesson is very extensive, but could be modified to fit your specific classroom situation.  The lesson includes a week-long activity in which some students are identified as “enemies.”  It explores racial profiling and citizens’ rights.

URL:                                      http://www.itvs.org/facetoface/activities/lesson2.html

Historical Time Period:     The Constitution

Title of the Lesson Plan:  Search and Seizure

Grade Level:                        Grade 11 or 12

General Description:         This lesson focuses on a discussion activity about students’ rights and the Fourth Amendment.  It provides a great opportunity to study the language of the Constitution and to evaluate relevant court cases.

URL:www.eduref.org/cgibin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/US_Government/GOV0036.html