The US Constitution
We the people of the United States, in order to form
a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure
the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain
and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Lesson Plav gfns | Primary Sources
| WebQuests
Lesson Plans:
Create
a Class Constitution - The Students will learn the purpose of
the U.S. Constitution. Students will analyze the language and meaning
of the Preamble.
Students will work in cooperative groups to write a class constitution.
The Preamble to the Constitution: How do you make a more perfect union?
- Before 1789, the young nation had been ruled by the Articles of
Confederation, written in 1781 in reaction to years of British rule.
By 1787, however, it was clear that a more perfect Union was required;
while protecting the independence of member states, the Articles of
Confederation did not describe the powers of a federal chief executive
or a judicial system. The creation of our Constitution and present
form of government was informed by these and other considerations
that arose during the years of the Confederation.
Constitution
Lesson Plans - This Web site provides a lesson plan and material
from a variety of electronic CQ Press sources to help instructors
and students observe Constitution Day. CQ Press resources include
primary sources, pro/con debates on important constitutional issues,
encyclopedia articles on the Constitution, expert commentary and analysis
by CQ writers, and more. In addition, this site provides links to
additional free sources available on the Web and links to CQ Press
books and online collections related to the Constitution.
Primary Source Documents:
United
States Constitution - The members of the Constitutional Convention
signed the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. The Constitutional Convention convened in response to
dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation and the need for
a strong centralized government. After four months of secret debate
and many compromises, the proposed Constitution was submitted to the
states for approval. Although the vote was close in some states, the
Constitution was eventually ratified and the new Federal government
came into existence in 1789. The Constitution established the U.S.
government as it exists today.
Webquests/Games:
The
Constitution Webquest - The Constitution for Kids website provides
information about the laws of our country and the history of our Constitution
that is easy to understand. Answer somequestions using the website.
Can be adapted for elementary school through high school.
Save
the Bill of Rights - This game, developed by the National Constitution
Center is a role playing game where the official national computer
has crashed and the students must help find the amendments.
US
Constitution Crossword Puzzle - Printable Crossword puzzle from
the National Constitution Center
