Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
(a) Designation.— September 17 is designated as Constitution
Day and Citizenship Day.
(b) Purpose.— Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
commemorate the formation and signing on September 17, 1787,
of the Constitution and recognize all who, by coming of age or
by naturalization, have become citizens….
Beginning in 2005, all schools that receive federal monies began to "hold an educational program pertaining to the United
States Constitution on September 17 of each year." While the instruction has been mandated, what that "educational
program" entails is not detailed in the notice of implementation from the U.S. Department of Education, nor is it detailed
in the federal appropriations bill that requires it. The manner of recognition on Constitution Day is up to you.
The following linked web resources are provided to assist you in your planning.

National Archives & Records Administration [NARA] /
NARA's Teaching with Documents Lesson Plans /
NARA’s DocsTeach

Lesson Plans, Webquests, & Games all focused on
America’s founding documents at USHistorySite.com

"A More Perfect Union: The Creation of the U.S. Constitution"

Center for Civic Education

American Bar Association’s Constitution Web site
Interactive Games:
Imagine: An Interactive Problems-Based
civics learning environment! Check out
iCivics.org
______________
The Forefathers Rock Out!

U.S. Dept. of Education resources

Annenberg Classroom Constitution Day resources
The song “Too Late to Apologize” is given a
twist by T.J. and the Revo that tells the story
of the Declaration of Independence http://americansgoverning.com/declaration/
Meet your Constitution Day education requirement by turning to the
National Constitution Center! Tune in to our popular Constitution
Hall Pass —viewed by over a million students on Constitution Day
last year! This FREE, fun and fascinating webcast allows teachers and
students to learn more about this historic day while chatting live
with the National Constitution Center’s education staff. All you need is
an internet connection to participate!
You won't want to miss the 2011 ALL NEW Constitution Hall Pass:
Freedom of Expression which airs all day long on September 16.
This engaging episode brings the story of the U.S. Constitution and
the Bill of Rights to life and celebrates artists, writers and musicians
throughout history who have exercised their right to free expression.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bill of Rights Institute is dedicated to creating educational materials for teachers like you,
in order to help young Americans appreciate constitutional principles that define us as a nation.
BRI’s new web page, The Founding Documents, showcases the philosophical, traditional, and
political foundations on which our nation was built and that continue to shape our free society.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Constitutional Rights Foundation is pleased to present three new multimedia lessons for elementary, middle,
and high school.
AUSTIN ISD BUREAU OF CURRICULUM / Social Studies Department / (last rev. Sept., 2011 - tl)
Page 1 of 2
Colonial Williamsburg's Gift to the Nation for Constitution Day offers
students an opportunity to interact virtually with historical characters and
provides teachers with unique resources to engage students in the
study of our United States Constitution.
The Electronic Field Trip, "A More Perfect Union", tells the story of the
ratification of the Constitution and has as the first person narrator a
young student from the late 1700s. This Electronic Field Trip builds background knowledge for
educators and students, leading to better understanding of the challenges and choices made
during the ratification of our Constitution.






Available online 24/7 from September 6 to September 30, 2011
On-demand video streaming over the web
Email historical character, Benjamin Franklin
Interactive online games
Downloadable resources, such as the teacher guide and program script (PDF)
Comprehensive lesson plans
Streaming Video / Interactive Websites:
From Discovery Education Streaming Videos:
 Our Constitution: The Document that Gave Birth to a Nation (24:00)
 Composing the Constitution (03:35)
From Mr. Nussbaum.com:
 Interactive U. S. Constitution
Bilingual:
Constitución de los Estados Unidos de América (Spanish translation that is part of the
Political Database of the Americas site at Georgetown University)
________________________________________________________________________
Constitution Day Activities: REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW
Public Law 108-447, Section 111(b) states ‘‘[e]ach 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.’’ Section 111 requires that Constitution Day be held on
September 17 of each year, commemorating the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution. However,
when September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, Constitution Day shall be held during the
preceding or following week.
While the Department does not endorse any particular program or Web site, this information is provided
because it may be of use to educational institutions developing their Constitution Day programs.
Library of Congress: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/bdsds/bdsdhome.html.
National Archives: http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/charters/constitution.html
National Archives has a nationwide network of research facilities, including presidential libraries that
welcome students as young as 14 years of age. Information about the facilities (by region and state):
http://www.archives.gov/facilities/index.html.
Documentation of campus activities will be required.
AUSTIN ISD BUREAU OF CURRICULUM / Social Studies Department / (last rev. Sept., 2011 - tl)
Page 1 of 2