Constitution Day

 

This spring, 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This government site has kid friendly information about the Constitution, Bill of Rights and other historical documents.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.

 
The Constitution of the United States
This site from National Archives includes information about the Delegates who helped create the Constitution, a complete text of the document, the Constitutional Convention, and fascinating facts about the Constitution. Also links to the Bill of Rights and Amendments.

 
To Form a More Perfect Union
Site contains information about the work of the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention
 
The 19th Amendment
Women could not vote until this amendment passed in 1920. Find out about this milestone in our history.
 
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.