Malcolm Rivera
Constitution Day, celebrated annually on September 17, commemorates the signing of the final draft of the US Constitution in 1787. The day is an opportunity to teach students about the history of the US Constitution and its relevance today. Teachers can use a variety of resources, including videos, games, and books, to engage students in learning about the Constitution and exploring its key concepts. Elementary school teachers can employ simple yet powerful activities to teach their students about the country's Constitution and celebrate this important day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Read-aloud books | Reading books about the US Constitution helps build students' background knowledge and teaches them key concepts and vocabulary. |
| Videos | Videos can be used to teach students about the history of the US Constitution and the debates that led to its creation. |
| Games | Games such as iCivics' "Do I Have a Right?" and "Executive Command" can help students learn about constitutional law and the operation of the Oval Office. |
| Writing | Students can write poems or songs about parts of the Constitution, such as the Bill of Rights. |
| Brainstorming | Students can brainstorm and draft a Bill of Rights for their classroom, outlining the rights and freedoms they expect. |
| Quizzes | Quizzes can be used to test students' knowledge of the US Constitution and its history. |
| WebQuests | WebQuests can guide students through the history of the US Constitution, the people involved in its creation, and the documents that inspired it. |
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What You'll Learn
Reading and discussing books about the US Constitution
Constitution Day, held annually on September 17, is a great opportunity to teach elementary school students about the US Constitution in a fun and engaging way. Reading and discussing books about the US Constitution is an effective strategy to build students' background knowledge, introduce key concepts and vocabulary, and provide context for understanding the importance of this document. Here are some ideas to make the most of this approach:
Select Appropriate Books:
Choose books that simplify complex constitutional concepts and present them in a digestible manner for elementary school students. Look for publications that use simple language, bold illustrations, and plain English explanations to make the content accessible and engaging. "A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution" is a children's book that combines words and pictures to make the US Constitution more understandable for young learners. "This Is Our Constitution" by Gold Star father Khizr Khan is another excellent choice, as it offers simplified texts, articles, and sections of the Constitution along with personal reflections to help students appreciate its value.
Read Aloud and Discuss:
Read the selected books aloud to the class, encouraging active participation and discussion. Pause at key moments to explain and elaborate on important concepts, and invite students to jot down vocabulary words they find interesting. This approach enhances their comprehension and provides a foundation for further exploration.
Vocabulary Building:
Create a class list of the vocabulary words generated during the reading sessions. Work together as a class to define these terms, referring back to the books for context. This activity not only improves their understanding of the material but also teaches them to use context clues effectively, a valuable reading comprehension strategy.
Extend Learning:
After reading and discussing the books, extend the learning by assigning projects or activities that reinforce students' understanding of the US Constitution. For example, you could have students create timelines of important events related to the Constitution, starting with the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and ending with Amendment 27 in 1992. Alternatively, pair students with historical figures who attended the Constitutional Convention and have them research their assigned figure's role in shaping the Constitution. These activities will help students apply what they've learned from the books and develop a deeper understanding of the US Constitution's history and significance.
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Playing educational games
Constitution Day is a great opportunity to teach elementary school students about the history of the U.S. Constitution and its relevance today through educational games. Here are some ideas to make learning about this important document fun and engaging:
ICivics Games
ICivics offers a variety of educational games that are perfect for Constitution Day. One such game is "Do I Have a Right?", where students can try their hand at running a constitutional law firm and learn about citizens' rights. Another game, "Executive Command," lets students experience what it's like to be in the Oval Office and manage the three branches of government. "Branches of Power" is another game that focuses on this aspect of the Constitution. For a more lighthearted activity, "Preamble Scramble" and "Bill of Rights Bingo" from the National Constitution Center are great options.
The Schoolhouse Rock Song
Music is a powerful tool for learning, and the Schoolhouse Rock song about the preamble is a fun way to teach students about this important part of the Constitution. Challenge your students to create their own songs or poems about other parts of the Constitution, such as the Bill of Rights. This will help them engage with the material in a creative and memorable way.
Bill of Rights for the Classroom
This activity starts with a whole-class brainstorm of amendments that students want to include in their classroom Bill of Rights. For example, "Students have the right to express their opinions respectfully" or "Students have the right to half an hour of free time every day if rules are followed." Once the document is finalized, have each student sign it. This activity teaches students about the Bill of Rights while also establishing classroom rules and expectations.
Interactive Constitution Activities
The Library of Congress and the National Constitution Center offer interactive activities that allow students to explore the Constitution and its history. These include interactive ebooks, videos, and podcasts that provide a deeper understanding of the document and its creation. For example, the Library of Congress has an interactive ebook that lets students zoom in on and annotate primary source documents from the drafting and debating of the Constitution.
Read-Aloud Books
Reading aloud to students is a great way to build their background knowledge and introduce them to key concepts and vocabulary related to the Constitution. As you read, have students jot down interesting vocabulary words. Then, create a class list of these words and refer back to the book to define them together. This helps students improve their context clue skills while also learning about the Constitution.
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Writing a classroom Bill of Rights
Constitution Day, celebrated on September 17, is an important occasion for schools across the United States to delve into the US Constitution—a document that outlines how the American government functions. To mark this day, schools can engage in a variety of educational and fun activities to help students understand the significance of the Constitution and its role in shaping the nation's history and principles. One such activity is to involve students in "Writing a Classroom Bill of Rights".
Step 1: Introduction and Context
Begin by providing students with an introduction to the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. You can utilise resources from the National Constitution Center, such as their Bill of Rights show or their video on the creation and ratification of the Bill of Rights. This foundational knowledge will help students understand the context and importance of what they are about to create.
Step 2: Brainstorming Rights and Freedoms
Initiate a whole-class brainstorming session where students propose rights and freedoms they believe are important in the classroom. Encourage them to consider both in-person and online learning environments. Provide examples to guide their thinking, such as "Students have the right to express their opinions respectfully" or "Students have the right to a half-hour of free time every day, provided they follow the rules."
Step 3: Drafting the Document
Once the students have generated a list of rights and freedoms, it's time to compile them into a draft document. Type up the student-generated ideas into a word-processing document. This step may involve some discussion and negotiation as you guide the students toward a cohesive and inclusive Classroom Bill of Rights.
Step 4: Ratification and Signing
After revising and finalising the document, it's time for ratification. Explain the concept of ratification and how it works in the context of the US Constitution. You can set a threshold, such as requiring three-fourths of the class to ratify the document, to ensure broad agreement. Once the document is ratified, print out copies for each student to sign. This signing ceremony symbolises their commitment to upholding the rights outlined in their Classroom Bill of Rights.
Step 5: Reflection and Connection
As a concluding activity, encourage students to reflect on the process and discuss how their Classroom Bill of Rights connects to the broader US Constitution and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. This reflective exercise helps students understand the relevance of the Constitution in their daily lives and empowers them to be active participants in their learning environment.
By involving students in creating a Classroom Bill of Rights, teachers can foster a sense of ownership and mutual respect in the classroom. This activity not only educates students about their constitutional rights but also encourages them to think critically about the importance of rules and their role in creating a positive learning environment.
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Learning about the creation of the US Constitution
Constitution Day is a great opportunity to teach elementary school students about the creation of the US Constitution. The day commemorates the signing of the final draft of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates. The document was then sent to the states for ratification and came into effect on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it.
Reading and Discussion
Start by building students' background knowledge with some relevant reading material. This could be a simple exercise where the teacher reads aloud from a book about the US Constitution, its history, and its relevance today. As the teacher reads, students can jot down interesting vocabulary words that they come across. Once the reading is done, create a class list of these words and refer back to the book to define them together as a class. This helps reinforce context clues and vocabulary building right from the beginning of the school year.
Videos and Podcasts
Show your students videos and podcasts that explain the US Constitution and the events and people that inspired its creation. These can include the We the People Podcast, which explores the intellectual inspirations behind the Constitution, or the Constitution EXPLAINED video series, which breaks down the text, history, and relevance of the Constitution and its amendments in short, engaging videos.
Games and Activities
ICivics offers a range of games that make learning about the Constitution fun. For example, in "Do I Have a Right?" students can try running a constitutional law firm. They can also play "Executive Command" to experience what it's like to be in the Oval Office. Additionally, the National Constitution Center offers games like "Preamble Scramble" and "Bill of Rights Bingo." These games help students understand key concepts and engage with the content in a fun way.
Writing Exercises
After learning about the Bill of Rights, challenge students to write a Bill of Rights for the classroom. This document should include the rights and freedoms they expect in the classroom, whether in person or online. Start with a whole-class brainstorm and provide examples to ensure they understand the task. Once the ideas are finalized, share the document with the students and have them sign it.
Interactive Tools
Use interactive tools like the Library of Congress's ebook for iPads, which allows students to zoom in and annotate primary source documents from the drafts and debates that brought the Constitution and Bill of Rights into being. This hands-on approach can make history more engaging and accessible for young students.
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Exploring the relevance of the US Constitution today
Constitution Day is an important opportunity to teach students about the US Constitution and its continued relevance. The US Constitution is a complex document that forms the basis of the country's government and laws. To make it easier for students to understand, teachers can use a variety of engaging activities and resources.
One way to make learning about the US Constitution fun is through games. For example, iCivics offers games where students can run a constitutional law firm or experience what it's like to run the Oval Office. These games can help students understand the text, history, and relevance of the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights and additional amendments. Additionally, interactive activities such as Preamble Scramble or Bill of Rights Bingo can make learning about the Constitution more enjoyable.
Reading and discussing books about the US Constitution is another effective strategy. Teachers can read aloud from a variety of books during Constitution Day week to build students' background knowledge. As they read, students can jot down vocabulary words they are interested in learning more about. Then, as a class, they can work together to create definitions for these words, teaching them how to use context clues. This approach ensures that students understand key concepts and vocabulary related to the Constitution before diving into further activities.
Teachers can also encourage students to explore the creation and ratification of the US Constitution. This can include examining the historical context, the debates that took place, and the people involved in its development. For example, students can learn about Benjamin Franklin's Closing Speech at the Constitutional Convention. By understanding the process behind the creation of the Constitution, students can gain a deeper appreciation for its relevance today.
Finally, students can apply the US Constitution to their own lives by creating a classroom Bill of Rights. After brainstorming amendments, students can work together to write a document outlining the rights and freedoms they expect in the classroom. This activity helps students understand their rights as citizens while also exploring the relevance of the Constitution in their daily lives.
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Frequently asked questions
Constitution Day is a day to celebrate the history of the US Constitution and engage students in its continued relevance. It is observed on September 17, the day the final draft of the Constitution was signed in 1787.
Students learn about the US Constitution, including its text, history, and relevance, as well as the Bill of Rights and additional amendments. They may also learn about the duties and powers of the three branches of government and how a bill becomes a law.
There are several activities that can be adapted for elementary school students on Constitution Day. These include reading aloud from books about the Constitution, having students play games such as "Do I Have a Right?" and "Executive Command," or having them write a poem or song about the Bill of Rights.
Yes, there are several resources available to help teachers plan for Constitution Day. The Library of Congress, iCivics, and the National Constitution Center all offer lesson plans, activities, videos, and other materials to help teach students about the US Constitution.
