Resources to Support Constitution Day
Dear Principals and Teachers:
A reminder that Constitution Day is September 17.
The expectation as directed by federal legislation is that “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 for the students served by the
educational institution.”
To assist in this, below are resources and ideas for schools.
You might consider having students announce that Friday is Constitution Day and read
the preamble as a part of the morning announcements.
Preamble Text:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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.
Audio
National Endowment for the Humanities Recording of the Preamble
http://edsitement.neh.gov/ConstitutionDay/default.asp
Downloads of Audio Reenactments and Historical Documents from American History
Learn Out Loud:
Http://www.learnoutloud.com/Podcast-Directory/History/American-History/TheFounding-Documents-Podcast/19473
Lesson Plans, Information and Artifacts
National Archives General Resources on the Constitution
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html
Lesson Plans for Celebrating US Constitution Day from National Archives
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/index.html
Resources for Students from National Constitution Center in Philadelphia
http://constitutioncenter.org/ncc_edu_Studying_the_Constitution.aspx
Bill of Rights Game from National Constitution Center in Philadelphia
http://constitutioncenter.org/BillOfRightsGame/Final.swf
Interesting “Fast Facts” from National Constitution Center in Philadelphia
http://constitutioncenter.org/ncc_edu_Constitution_Fast_Facts.aspx
Interactive topics that encourage students to join conversations about their rights and
government from Annenberg Policy Center
http://www.student-voices.org/
Interactive games and presentations from OurCourts.org
http://www.ourcourts.org/for-teachers/constitution-lessons