Constitution Day Resources
Law Requires Lessons on Constitution:
Pub. L. 108-447, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005,/ Dec. 8,2004; 118 Stat. 2809, 3344-45
“Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.”
100 Milestone Documents
The 100 Milestone Documents
is a National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service
We invite all Americans to participate in a series of events and programs to get us thinking, talking and teaching about the rights and responsibilities of citizens in our democracy. At the heart of this initiative are 100 milestone documents of American history. These documents reflect our diversity and our unity, our past and our future, and mostly our commitment as a nation to continue to strive to "form a more perfect union." We want everyone-students, teachers, parents, and the general public-to read these milestone documents, consider their meaning, discuss them, and decide which are the most significant and why. This initiative creates a number of ways to do that-through classroom activities and competitions, and votes.
About Government
For a direct link to various historical documents such as The Articles of Confederation, Bill of Rights, Federalist Papers, Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution visit About Government.
the Bill of Rights Institute
The Bill of Rights Institute
is offering free educational and programming materials to schools to help teachers organize events to commemorate Constitution Day, scheduled for this year on September 16, 2005.
- Two Constitution lesson plans: one for high school and one for middle school
- A biographical essay about James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, that includes an audio component
- A Founders Gallery that features images of the Founders
- Lesson plan about the Bill of Rights that includes a short video
- Media-focused lesson plan on the First Amendment
Celebrate Freedom Week Curriculum Guide (pdf)
the Center for Civic Education will post seven lessons on its web site in August 2005. These age-appropriate lessons are suggested for use at each of the following grade levels:
- Kindergarten
- Grades 1-2
- Grades 3-4
- Grades 5-6
- Grades 7-8
- Grades 9-10
- Grades 11-12
the Constitution for Kids:
The Constitution for grades K-3 a basic fact sheet with a link for pictures of the Constitution.
the Constitutional Rights Foundation
The Constitution Rights Foundation
presents a series of free online lessons, resources from the CRF catalog, and Internet links to help educators design their own Constitution Day program.
Directly Access the U.S. Constitution
the Dirkson Congressional Center
The Dirkson Congressional Center
contains numerous resources containing information about our government.
the Library of Congress:
From the Library of Congress, a 3 day lesson on drafting the Constitution.
National Constitution Center: Constitution Day
Provides background on the day and a bank of resources, including a tool kit which enables a school, federal agency or any organization to set up a kiosk for Constitution Day where citizens can sign the Constitution or decide to abstain. The tool kit is accompanied by education materials and easy to follow how-to instructions.
the National Archives Experience
Questions and Answers about the Constitution by Sol Bloom, National Archives.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services:
This site is for immigrants but contains flash cards and a naturalization self-test that might help students recognize how much or how little they know about the Constitution and other government facts. It is strictly drill and kill.
the White House:
This site contains links to Constitution facts, quizzes, and other resources.