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Free Online Resources | Resources from CRF's Catalog | Links
Join the California Celebration
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 guidelines put forth by the Department of Education,
teachers and schools are free to design Constitution Day programming that
best addresses the needs of their students.
Constitutional Rights Foundation is pleased to present a series of free
online lessons, resources from the CRF catalog, and Internet links
to help educators design their own Constitution Day program.
Free Online Resources from CRF
Kindergarten, Grades 1-2
The Tired King (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 (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 (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 (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) |
Grades 6-8
Rome: Republic to Empire (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 (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) |
Grades 9-12
Aristotle: In Search of the Best Constitution (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 (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 (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. |
From CRF's Catalog
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.
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.
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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