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A 2005 act of Congress states that all educational institutions receiving federal funding must observe September 17 as Constitution Day, which celebrates the 1787 signing of our founding document. According to the Department of Education guidelines, educators are free to design Constitution Day programming that best addresses the needs of their students.
Free CRF Online Resources | Resources from CRF's Catalog | Links
 Constitutional Rights Foundation and Remix America are pleased to announce the top four entries of this year’s Constitution Day Challenge, The Blessings of Liberty 2.0! The Challenge inspired a total of sixty-six remixes, each showing the diverse and passionate interest of so many in our nation’s constitutional heritage. With this many quality entries, deciding on only four was a challenge in itself. Below are four exemplary remixes on the blessings of liberty, we hope you watch and enjoy them:
View: Text of the United States Constitution
Free Online Resources from CRF
(Please login to download these FREE lessons.)
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Kindergarten, Grades 1-2
The Tired King Login to Download PDF
This short lesson introduces students to the three branches of government as they assist a hypothetical king with his daily tasks in a fairy-tale type kingdom. (From Adventures in Law and History, Vol. II)
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Grades 3-5
A Visitor from Outer Space Login to Download PDF
In this lesson, students must reach consensus on the rights they value most. (From V.O.I.C.E., Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago. Also available for grades 5-12 as a PowerPoint lesson.)
Mr. Madison Needs Some Help Login to Download PDF
Here are three lessons to choose from or implement as a unit. The first lesson provides background on the Constitution, the second engages students in helping James Madison develop a Bill of Rights, and the third focuses on the First Amendment. (From Adventures in Law and History, Vol. II)
Trouble in Gold Flats Login to Download PDF
In a series of four lessons, students visit a hypothetical gold-mining camp of the 1800s and learn about the need for fair and enforceable laws and the basic structures of government. (From Adventures in Law and History, Vol. I)
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Grades 6-8
A Visitor from Outer Space Login to Download PDF
In this lesson, students must reach consensus on the rights they value most. (From V.O.I.C.E., Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago. Also available for grades 5-12 as a PowerPoint lesson.)
Rome: Republic to Empire Login to Download PDF
This lesson links the content standards of 6th grade History-Social Science with our U.S. Constitution. It provides a reading on Roman kings, the republic, and the end of the republic for 6th grade. The application activity has students role play members of a congressional committee deciding if a new amendment should be added to the U.S. Constitution. (From CityYouth, Ancient History)
The Federalist Papers Login to Download PDF
This lesson provides a reading on the Federalist Papers and engages students in a role play and discussion activity focusing on issues that surrounded the adoption of the Constitution. (From Project History)
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Grades 9-12
A Visitor from Outer Space Login to Download PDF
In this lesson, students must reach consensus on the rights they value most. (From V.O.I.C.E., Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago. Also available for grades 5-12 as a PowerPoint lesson.)
Aristotle: In Search of the Best Constitution Login to Download PDF
This lesson begins with a reading on Aristotle, his politics, and his views on citizenship and constitutions. Students then participate in an activity that has them weigh the pros and cons of two types of governments/societies. (From Bill of Rights in Action newsletter)
Diversity and Equality Login to Download PDF
In this lesson, students read about issues of diversity and equality using a constitutional framework. A simplified moot court activity follows the reading. (From The Challenge of Governance)
The Constitution and Governance Login to Download PDF
After a reading about the origin and principles of constitutional government, the lesson provides an activity focusing on the constitutions of emerging democracies. (From The Challenge of Governance)
Foundations of Our Constitution Readings, activities, and the complete texts of documents that serve as the foundation for American democracy.
Bill of Rights in Action Archives Many lessons on U.S. history, world history, and government from Bill of Rights in Action, CRF's quarterly curricular newsletter. We have published this tremendous resource since 1967, and we continually add to the archive.
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From CRF's Catalog
DOWNLOAD NOW!!! For only $9.95 each, purchase and download now these PowerPoint presentations (Windows). Using animated graphics, each present content on the U.S. Constitution and guide students through an exciting interactive classroom activity. The accompanying teacher's guide includes taking points to accompany the content presentation, step-by-step teaching prodcedures for the activity, and student handout masters.
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The Constitution & the Bill of Rights: An Introduction
Grades 4-12
The Constitution & the Bill of Rights: An Introduction provides upper elementary and middle school teachers with a PowerPoint content presentation and talking points to tell the story of the development of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Using animated graphics, the presentation provides a focus discussion, walks students through the creation of the Constitution, and introduces each of the 10 original amendments of the Bill of Rights as well as the later Civil War and 19th amendments.
The Constitution & Bill of Rights: Equal Protection
Grades 4-12
The Constitution and Bill of Rights: Equal Protection introduces upper-elementary and middle-school students to the concept of equal protection. Using colorful, animated graphics, this PowerPoint presentation provides teachers with a graphic presentation and talking points on key concepts of equal protection.
The Constitution & Bill of Rights: Due Process
Grades 7-12
The Constitution & the Bill of Rights: Due Process provides students with background on the concept of due process and introduces the related amendments from the Bill of Rights. Using colorful graphics, the PowerPoint presentation also explains the trial and appellate court systems.
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The Constitution & Bill of Rights: Free Expression
Grades 7-12
The Constitution & Bill of Rights: Free Expression introduces upper-elementary and middle-school students to the concept of free expression as outlined by the First Amendment. Using colorful, animated graphics, this PowerPoint presentation provides teachers with a graphic presentation and talking points on key concepts of free expression.
The Constitution & Bill of Rights Due Process, Vol. 2
Grades 8-12
The Constitution & Bill of Rights Due Process, Vol. 2, further introduces students to the concept of due process from the Bill of Rights. The PowerPoint presentation concludes with a moot-court activity, Chicago v. Morales: A Supreme Court Case, involving a gang ordinance.
!!!VALUE PACK. Download all 5 Lessons for only $39.95.
The Constitution & Bill of Rights, Value Pack, All 5 Presentations (Download) MS Windows
If you prefer to purchase the CD-ROMs for $16.95 ea. and have them mailed to you, click here.
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It's Yours: The Bill of Rights
Grades 7-12
For ESL students and students reading below grade level
Perfect for sheltered English classes, It's Yours: The Bill of Rights offers eight units of interactive lessons on U.S. government and the Bill of Rights. This illustrated supplement focuses on the structure of U.S. government, the rights of free speech, equal protection, religion, and the rights of the accused.
Carefully designed activities, reasoning exercises, and questions help students acquire language facility as they apply the Bill of Rights to situations relevant to their lives. A teacher's guide provides instructions for structuring lessons and utilizing outside resource persons.
- Addresses needs of ESL or below grade-level reading students
- Activities to involve outside resource persons
- Content-based language development
Letters of Liberty: A Documentary History of the U.S. Constitution
Grades 8-12
This beautifully illustrated text records the history and development of the U.S. Constitution through reproductions of original documents, portraits, maps, and personal letters of the founders. A concise narrative gives students background information for understanding the historical context of the documents.
Foundations of Freedom: A Living History of our Bill of Rights
Grades 9-12
Foundations of Freedom traces the evolving history of the Bill of Rights. It begins at the Magna Carta and goes through the colonial period leading to the drafting of the Bill of Rights. It then follows the significant 19th and 20th century Supreme Court cases, constitutional amendments, and laws that helped the Bill of Rights develop. This lively narrative chronicles the events, issues, and people shaping the Bill of Rights and sets them against an impressive collection of photographs, illustrations, political cartoons, and primary source reproductions. Special features in each chapter highlight important people, events, and Supreme Court decisions.
Bill of Rights Mini-Lessons: Secondary Edition
Grades 8-12
"Bill of Rights" mini-lessons pay tribute to the legacy of the Bill of Rights and to the liberties guaranteed Americans today. these interactive lesson plans promote rights and responsibilities and introduce young people to our system of justice. Topics include: The Constitution's Framework, A Debate Over Gun Control and Stiffer Penalties for Criminals, and A Small Claims Court Role-play.
Links
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Constitution Day 
