Educating Leaders - No Conveyor Belt Education Here!

September 11, 2008 - Constitution Day - Sept 17

In 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed. There are so many things you can do to celebrate our US Constitution. Here are a few.

INTERVIEW SIGNERS OF CONSTITUTION

# Introduction: Ask students to name some of signers of the Constitution.
# Divide the class into four groups. Assign each group one of the following signers: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, or Alexander Hamilton.
# Challenge students to imagine that they are newspaper reporters in 1787 covering the signing of the Constitution. They meet with each of the four signers noted above and ask three questions. Have each group brainstorm the questions they would ask each signer.
# Tell students that before they can ask the questions, they must research information about each person and about the Constitution. Have students use various library sources or use the following sites as starting points for their research.
The Signers of the Constitution
The Founding Fathers
Creating a Constitution
A More Perfect Union: The Creation of the U.S. Constitution
The United States Constitution
source: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp2047.shtml

3 BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT CHART

    * Review the three branches of government. Ask students to define the terms legislative branch , judicial branch, executive branch.
    * Depending on class size, divide the class into pairs or groups of three students. Assign one article to each group.
    * Tell each group to choose one part of the article that describes a structure or function of a branch of government. Have each group create a chart to showing how that structure or function works.
Specifics of lesson plan are found here: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp2051.shtml
Have students present and explain their charts to the class. Have students ask questions of the presenters.

CREATE A NEW AMENDMENT

Note: This lesson might work as a culminating activity for a unit of study on the amendments to the Constitution.

    * Review and discuss with students the important points of the amendments to the Constitution. Discuss the guidelines for adding a new amendment to the Constitution.
    * Tell students to imagine that they have been appointed to committees to create a new amendment. Have students brainstorm ideas for the new the amendment. (If students have difficulty thinking of ideas, start the discussion with a suggestion; for example, an amendment for children.) Write their ideas on the board.
    * Divide the class into small groups. Have each group choose one of the ideas. Students work together to create a proposal for their idea and present it to the class. Variation: If you have access to PowerPoint, have students create their proposals as PowerPoint presentations.
After listening to the presentations, have each student write down the one amendment he or she thinks should be added to the Constitution. Tally the choices and note the top choice on the board.

To get more specific details click here: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp2052.shtml

More on the Constitution: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson347.shtml

Constitution Worksheets You Can Print
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/printable-worksheets/make-your-own/word-scramble/index.php

category:

History
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