Topic :Constitution
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Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention (Library of Congress)
The Library of Congress Continental Congress Broadside Collection (253 titles) and the Constitutional Convention Broadside Collection (21 titles) contain 274 documents relating to the work of Congress and the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. Items include extracts of the journals of Congress, resolutions, proclamations, committee reports, treaties, and early printed versions of the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. There are two special presentations: To Form a More Perfect Union and The Work of the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention
NARA Exhibit Hall: The Charters of Freedom
The National Archives offers a copy of the U.S. Constitution and biographies of the document's fifty-five framers. The article "A More Perfect Union" is an in-depth look at the Constitutional Convention and the ratification process. "Questions and Answers Pertaining to the Constitution" presents dozens of fascinating facts about the Constitution.
The Avalon Project: The American Constitution - A Documentary Record
The Yale Law school offers documents on The Roots of the Constitution, Revolution and Independence, Credentials of the Members of the Federal Convention, The Constitutional Convention, and Ratification and Formation of the Government.
U.S. Constitution Resource Center
The TCNbP guide to the US constitution offers three types of resources to aid in your on-line and off-line study of the US Constitution. Constitution Notebook Program (off-line study guide) is available for free download. There are also links to other sites on the web with information related to the Constitution and links to Amazon.com for book listings related to the Constitution.
The Federalist: A Collection of Essays
The Electronic Desk of Emory Law School has put the Federalist papers online and offers a keyword search function and an index.
Alexander Hamilton on the Web
On this site you will find biographies, Hamilton's writing, including the complete Federalist Papers, images of Hamilton, reviews and excerpts from some of the recent books about Hamilton, essays on the Hamilton/Burr duel and more
The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden
This site explores the history and operation of the American presidency. The exhibit displays more than 375 images of documents, paintings, photographs, buttons, posters, paraphernalia, and objects along with short texts explaining their significance.
Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids
This site by the U.S. Government Printing Office teaches K-12 students how the U.S. government works. There are resources for teachers and parents as well.
The American President
This website is geared toward teaching the history of the American presidency, primarily to high school students, and contains detailed biographies of each president.
Constitutional Convention Overview
Part of a James Madison University presentation on James Madison, there is a concise overview of the convention. Highlights include Madison's "Notes on the Confederacy" as well as his reflections on division of powers and the constitutionality of a national bank.
The Constitution Society
The Constitution Society is a private non-profit organization dedicated to research and public education on the principles of constitutional republican government. It publishes documentation, engages in litigation, and organizes local citizens groups to work for reform. It offers a Liberty Library of Constitutional Classics, a Constitutional Weblog, and a Constitutional Examination
Biographies of the Founding Fathers
Colonial Hall provides bios of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides, Activities and more
Lesson Plans: Constitution
Provided by the Civic Center of Education, this lesson plan uses probing questions to analyze the framing of the constitution. It offers guidelines for both teachers and students, as well as supplemental lessons regarding James Madison and George Washington.
Lesson Plans, Activities, and Research Projects: Constitution
A Middle School teacher provides many links to related lessons, activities, and projects.
The Constitution: Our Plan for Government
Submitted by Middle School Teacher Willie Jefferson of Wichita KS, this constitution lesson plan is intended for 8th and 9th graders.
Constitution and the Idea of Compromise: Lesson Plan
In this PBS lesson plan, students analyze the various changes and compromises that went into the framing of the constitution. Written for high school students, the lesson plan also asks several follow-up questions at the end.
You and the U.S. Constitution (lesson plan)
Written by Teacher Kim-Scott Miller, this 4th grade lesson plan is very "activity oriented" and attempts to explain the rules and laws of the United States
On the Road to the Constitution
Designed by a Middle School teacher, the site has clickable "Sign Posts" that help students learn more about the Constitution.
Teacher Lesson Plan: Created Equal?
This LOC lesson focuses on a few key concepts of the Declaration of Independence, beginning with the phrase "All men are created equal." Students gain an appreciation of Thomas Jefferson's efforts to deal with the complex issues of equality and slavery in the Declaration of Independence. Recommended for High school students.
Digital History: Legal History
Digital History features resource guides by topic and period. Reference resources include classroom handouts, chronologies, encyclopedia articles, glossaries, and an audio-visual archive including speeches, book talks and e-lectures by historians, and historical maps, music, newspaper articles, and images. The site's Ask the HyperHistorian feature allows users to pose questions to professional historians.
The Federalist Era: Multiple Choice Quiz, Fill-in-the-Blank, Flashcards, American History Glossary, American History Appendix
The Student Resources section of The American Nation companion web site features introductions to chapters, interactive quizzes, flashcards, web links, an American History Glossary, and an American History Appendix
Constitutional Convention Lesson Plan
Supplied by the Utah Education Network , this is a three-day lesson plan to help students understand the structure and function of the United States government established by the Constitution.
The Constitution: Counter Revolution or National Salvation? (Lesson Plan)
This lesson plan encourages students to make critical observations on the nature of the U.S. Constitution. It is presented by the LOC and includes multiple online resources for students. Intended for grade 11
Lesson Plan- Constitutional Issues: Separation of Powers
Presented by the NARA, this lesson plan examines FDR's attempt to add a Justice to the Supreme Court.
Teaching With Documents: Observing Constitution day
The National Archives and Records Administration celebrates the signing of the Constitution by presenting activities, lesson plans, and information.
Bill of Rights Institute: Lesson Ideas
Activities and lesson plans are free for use in the classroom.
Bill of Rights WebQuest
Is an inquiry-oriented educational site produced by students and their educators. Has interesting simulation-type activities
Bill of Rights WebQuest
In this study of the Bill of Rights, students create a television news program about controversial issues today that relate to the Bill of Rights.
U.S. Constitution Web Quest
Designed by a Middle School teacher, the mission for this project is to become a member of one of the three branches of government, and to investigate information about that branch of government.
U.S. Constitution Web Quest
"You are a journalist for a school newspaper. In your research you have discovered that many of your peers do not know anything about the US Constitution. Your task is to complete this WebQuest so that you may understand the US Constitution and teach your classmates about its origins, significance, and relevance to our society."
The Constitution Web Quest
"The year is 1787 and you have been elected to represent your state at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. You will be “rubbing shoulders” with the likes of James Madison, Patrick Henry, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton. Depending on your state of origin and your station in life, you may be a supporter (Federalist) or an opponent (Anti-Federalist) of the Constitution."
The Constitutional Convention WebQuest
"Pretend that you and your group are reporters in 1787 that need to let the people know about the Constitution."
CEC: Separation of Powers Between the Three Branches of Government
Recommended for grades 10-12, this little mini-lesson uses a class activity to teach students about checks and balances
Interview With Signers of the Constitution
This Education World lesson plan is for grades 6-8. Students work in small groups to develop three questions that a newspaper reporter assigned to cover the signing of the Constitution might have asked each of the following signers of the Constitution: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.
What Conflicting Opinions Did the Framers Have about the Completed Constitution?
This lesson describes some conflicting points of view of leading Framers about the Constitution. Most of the delegates argued for the adoption of the Constitution, although many had reservations about all or parts of it. The reservations of three were so serious that they refused to sign the document. The position of one of these Framers, George Mason, is explored in detail. You also will examine Benjamin Franklin's statement in defense of the Constitution. High School.
First Amendment Lesson Plans
Education for Freedom is offered by The Freedom Forum’s First Amendment Center, a nonpartisan center dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of the values of the First Amendment. These lessons (beginning and advanced levels) address constitutional principles and contemporary issues involving the First Amendment.
Create a New Amendment
This Education World lesson plan is for grades 6-12. Students demonstrate critical thinking and creative thinking skills in developing a new amendment.
The Constitution: The Foundation of American Society Practice Test
High School level quiz on U.S. Constitution from Prentice Hall.
The Constitution Tested: Nationalism and Sectionalism Practice Test
High School level quiz on constitutional issues in American history from Prentice Hall.
The Constitution Tested: Document Based Essay Question
This Prentice Hall activity is designed to test your ability to work with historical documents and is based on the accompanying documents (1–6).
CEC: Articles of Confederation Game
By playing this simple game, students will learn first-hand why the Articles of Confederation failed. Grades 10-12.
Constitutional Examination
The Constitutional Society offers multiple choice questions on constitutional government, history, and law.
Is Everyone Protected By the Bill of Rights?
In this high school lesson plan, students explore whether gays should be entitled to serve in the military. To understand this issue, students take a look at the civil rights afforded to every US citizen. We explore how this applied to the civil rights movement, and whether it is also applicable to gays who want to serve in the military. All this is used to gather information for a final debate about the issue using skills and research found in the lesson.
On the Edge and Under the Gun
This middle school lesson will expose students to the issues of gun control, the right to bear arms, and the overwhelming seriousness of gun related violence. After exploring the complexities of this problem, students will then examine what can, and has been done to redress the situation using the Million Mom March as a reference point. Students will be required to synthesize web information on the topic in the form of a research paper.
Mixed Blessings: Exploring the Separation of Church and State in Patriotic Poetry
In this New York Times lesson, students will learn about the recent federal appeals court decision finding the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional. They then further investigate the notions of constitutionality and separation between church and state by researching and analyzing another patriotic American poem or song.(June 28, 2002)
Burning Hatred: Discussing the Constitutional Conflict Over Cross Burning
In this lesson, students examine the constitutionality of various forms of expression; they then take part in a mock trial on the issue of cross burning.(December 13, 2002)
Interpreting Primary Sources
Digital History provides brief excerpts from primary sources and statistics and questions to think about: Conflict Over the Ratifying of the Constitution
Digital History Resource Guides
The Digital Resource Guides provides links to American history web sites by period and provide historical overviews, readings (online textbook chapter, Reader's Companion) primary source documents (documents, maps, cartoons), teaching resources (chronologies, maps, quizzes), audio-visual resources, and additional resources. It is an excellent and comprehensive teaching resource.
HistoryTeacher.net: AP United States History Quizzes
A New York teacher has produced a great general site for history teachers that offers AP-level United States history quizzes on many different periods and topics.
AP United States History DBQs: 1775-1825
These student-created DBQs are part of the excellent Historyteacher.net site
A New Nation Internet Scavenger Hunt
The American Nation: Internet Activities
Prentice Hall's phschool.com offers internet activities based on their The American Nation textbook chapters. Middle School grades.
A History of the United States: Internet Activities and Student Self Test Questions
Prentice Hall's phschool.com offers internet activities and interactive quizzes based on A History of the United States textbook chapters. High School.