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Constitution Day |
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Congress passed legislation requiring all educational
institutions receiving federal funding to hold an educational program pertaining
to the United States Constitution on September 17 of each year. The national
celebration of Constitution Day is an excellent opportunity for us to focus on
this unique document that forms the basis for our government and to help our
students understand its significance.
When Constitution Day falls on a weekend, federal laws provides for
educational institutions to celebrate Constitution Day either the week before or
after that weekend.
See
http://bordc.org/resources/constitutionday.php for more information.
For information on Pledge Across America, see
www.celebrationusa.org
Online Resources:
Constitution Day
for k-3 kids
This site contains very
basic information on the constitution and government.
Ben's Guide to Government
for Kids
This government site has kid friendly information about the
Constitution, Bill
of Rights and other historical documents. You can also find out about the 3
branches of government outlined in the Constitution.
The PBS Kids Democracy Project: How Does Government Affect Me?
This site has clear explanations of the 3 branches of government set up by
the Constitution. You can also find out about what it's like to be president of
the U.S. for a day and why voting is important.
How the President of the U.S. Is Elected
A clear explanation of this process set up in the Constitution.
SOL-MSH Division Kids Page
Find out about the 3 branches of government and how a bill becomes a law at
the law school site for kids.
The USA Constitution Theme Unit
Classroom activities for learning about the Constitution can be downloaded
at this site
Lesson Plans for Teachers:
(collected from
www.youthleadership.net)
The United States Flag Foundations of American
Level: Elementary School
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the origins and symbolism
of the American flag. Students will identify changes in our flag and the
different occasions when flags are flown.
Forms of Democracy
American Government
Level: Elementary School
Voting is a trait of good citizenship. Through classroom discussion and voting
simulations, students will analyze the two forms of democracy, direct and
representative. Students will realize why our government uses a representative
system. Through voting simulations, they will explore how decisions are made
between candidates.
What Does Government Do?
Level: Elementary School
This lesson familiarizes students with the duties of government. Students will
be asked to delineate between government and politics. By doing so, student will
clearly understand the distinction between the institution of government and the
political side that is often focused upon in the media. This lesson can be used
as a follow-up to the YLI lesson plan "What Is Government and Do We Need It?"
What is Government and Do We Need It?
Level: Elementary School
This lesson provides students with a working definition of government and to
recognize its purpose. This lesson will help students not only conceptualize
government, but also envision what society would be like in the absence of an
organized system of governance.
What is a Democracy?
Level: Elementary School
This lesson defines what government is and explains American democracy. This
lesson will also explain what and election is and why it is important to our
democracy.
Understanding the Constitution: Three Branches of Government
Level: Elementary / Middle School
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the structure and
function of American government. Using the United States Constitution as a
primary source, students will gain a greater understanding of the role of each
of the three branches of government.
What Does the President Do?
Level: Elementary School
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the qualifications and
responsibilities of the President.
Can I Vote for President?
Level: Elementary School
The purpose of this lesson is to explain the process of voting, who is eligible,
and why citizens vote. This lesson will focus on the federal election process,
but could be extended to include state voting process as well.