TeachersFirst's Constitution Day Resources
Other TeachersFirst Special Topics Collections
This collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help teachers and students learn about the United States Constitution and to plan projects and classroom activities so students can experience the Constitution as a "living document." Whether you spend one class in celebration of Constitution Day or an entire unit on the Constitution, the ideas included in the "In the Classroom" portion of reviews will launch discussions and projects your students will not forget.
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Crash Course - John and Hank Green
Grades
6 to 12
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Join John and Hank Green on the you Tube channel, Crash Course. Crash Course consists of highly engaging video presentations that explain the basics on many topics: about 10-15 minute...more
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Join John and Hank Green on the you Tube channel, Crash Course. Crash Course consists of highly engaging video presentations that explain the basics on many topics: about 10-15 minute in length, humorous, and engaging! The general topic areas include World History, Literature, and US History. At the time of this review, biology topics include: the carbon cycle, water cycle, molecules, nutrition, animal and plant cells, photosynthesis, heredity, DNA, mitosis, meiosis, natural selection, evolution, genetics, taxonomy, evolution, simple animals, complex animals, animal behavior, various systems of the body, bacteria, protists, and even more. In literature, five videos cover subjects from Romeo and Juliet to The Great Gatsby. There are over forty world history topics: Agricultural revolution, Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, The Persians and Greeks, Buddha and Ashoka, Chinese History, Alexander the Great, The Roman Empire, Christianity from Judaism to Constantine, Fall of the Roman Empire, Islam the Quran, and the Five Pillars, Venice and Ottoman Empire, Russia, Columbus, The Spanish Empire, The French Revolution, Haitian Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Capitalism, Socialism, Imperialism, and many more. If your district blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable. You could always view the videos at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as KeepVid reviewed here to download the videos from YouTube.
Tip: to watch or share a video without the ads and clutter, use a tool such as ViewPure, reviewed here to watch the video ad-free!
This site includes advertising.
Tip: to watch or share a video without the ads and clutter, use a tool such as ViewPure, reviewed here to watch the video ad-free!
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (197), bacteria (23), bill of rights (20), body systems (42), chinese (45), constitution (64), declaration of independence (9), evolution (96), genetics (77), greeks (22), literature (210), meiosis (13), mitosis (10), nutrition (116), religions (38), rome (22), romeo and juliet (6), russia (24), shakespeare (136), water cycle (26)
In the Classroom
Use as a way to introduce new topics or subjects to establish background knowledge. Share these videos on your projector or interactive whiteboard to provide an introduction (or review) on various topics. Use as an alternate way to help motivate your tech savvy students. Use as an example for a group project with the students planning, writing, and producing an informational video in the subject you are studying. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create videos and share them on a site such as TeacherTube reviewed here. Be sure to point out the steps followed in teaching and learning in the videos. Independent learners and gifted students will love the opportunity to learn on their own using these videos. Instead of "games" for times when student finish work early, why not share the link to this YouTube channel and encourage them to keep a blog about what they discover.
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Center for Civic Education - Center for Civic Education
Grades
5 to 12
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The Center for Civic Education offers this site loaded with information and resources that support the democratic process. Choose the resources tab to take advantage of many lesson...more
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The Center for Civic Education offers this site loaded with information and resources that support the democratic process. Choose the resources tab to take advantage of many lesson plans for all grade levels on topics such as President's Day, voting, Women's History Month, and many more. Choose the More Lesson Plans link to see a list of all lessons sorted by grade levels from K-12. Another interesting portion of the site is found at the media tab. Choose from video or photo galleries or the 60 Second Civics option. 60 Second Civics is a daily podcast accompanied with a short question. Previous podcasts are archived for access at your convenience. Subscribe with iTunes or Podcast Alley or visit the page to listen.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): branches of government (28), civil rights (77), constitution (64), democracy (11), elections (64), electoral college (11), lincoln (75), martin luther king (30), presidents (87), sept11 (26), washington (26)
In the Classroom
Share a link to the podcasts via your web page or blog. Have students answer the daily question then respond with a short journal entry or with comments on your webpage. Use lesson resources to supplement your current curriculum or commemorate events such as 9/11, MLK Day, Presidents Day, or Constitution Day. View videos on your interactive whiteboard (or projector). Assign videos to groups of students to view then report to the class. Rather than a traditional report, challenge cooperative learning groups to collaborate on a topic found on the site using Titanpad reviewed here to share ideas and information.
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Constitution Day - ConstitutionDay.com
Grades
5 to 12
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Learn about the U.S. Constitution and the amendments. See the documents and short biographies of each of the founding fathers. Click links to images of the Constitution on the right...more
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Learn about the U.S. Constitution and the amendments. See the documents and short biographies of each of the founding fathers. Click links to images of the Constitution on the right side of the home page. Although this site is short on original content, the founding father biographies make it a worthwhile visit when studying the Constitution and figures in American History. The number of ads for political races hint that the site may have a political bias.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): bill of rights (20), colonial america (89), constitution (64), philadelphia (13)
In the Classroom
Share this site with students as a resource for reading and viewing the Constitution. Use this site as a resource for biographical information of the founding fathers of the Constitution. This is a great resource for Constitution Day!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Mock Election - National Student/Parent Mock Election
Grades
3 to 12
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The My Voice National Student Mock Election is facilitating comprehensive online voting through a registration process. They are also providing curriculum resources for elementary through...more
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The My Voice National Student Mock Election is facilitating comprehensive online voting through a registration process. They are also providing curriculum resources for elementary through high school grade levels. Registration is optional. It provides access to online voting beginning in October (exact date will change yearly). Choose the curriculum link to find lesson plans with assessments, collaborative learning options, and handouts. Also click the Curriculum Resources link and then Educational Resources to find interactives, links to teacher resources, and current campaign advertisements.
tag(s): civil rights (77), constitution (64), elections (64)
In the Classroom
Use this website to enlighten your students about the election process. The website can be used anytime (not just during the election season). Use the open-ended questions provided as writing prompts for students to write in their journals or class blog. Have students create online posters on paper or do it together as a class using a tool such as Web Poster Wizard (reviewed here) to display responses to prompts. Generate ideas for a related research project--or simply have students create a quick "concept collection" of what they learn about elections by making word clouds using Word It Out reviewed here.
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Today's Document - Jon White Studio
Grades
6 to 12
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Today's Document is an excellent daily history site based on an RSS feed from the National Archives. This specific page comes up on Constitution Day. Cartoons illustrate the history...more
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Today's Document is an excellent daily history site based on an RSS feed from the National Archives. This specific page comes up on Constitution Day. Cartoons illustrate the history of the document, and link each drawing to the original, primary source document on National Archives with an invitation to dig deeper. Search the archives for previous entries or scroll back through daily cartoons. Explanations often include links to further historical information or click on included tags for similar resources. This site includes documents for several days each month. The site seems to have stopped in 2010, but you can browse back through many valuable documents and explanations, since the "originals" being discussed are historic, not current.
tag(s): american revolution (52), civil war (113), constitution (64), jefferson (13), lincoln (75), presidents (87), segregation (17), washington (26)
In the Classroom
Today's Document would make a fantastic discussion starter in any classroom. It is an interesting, visual way for students to acquire background knowledge about American history and/or the Constitution and government. You may want to display a document on your interactive whiteboard as a bell-ringer (opener) activity, or as a story starter in English class. Cover up the cartoon explanation, and ask students to discuss events that they think took place. In U.S.history, government, or civics classes, use the site as an example, then challenge students to create their own comics to explain a topic using comic-creation tools from this TeachersFirst collection.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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With Liberty and Justice for All - The Henry Ford Museum
Grades
4 to 12
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With Liberty and Justice for All is a special exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan. The focus is on the American quest for equal rights, with a special ...more
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With Liberty and Justice for All is a special exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan. The focus is on the American quest for equal rights, with a special emphasis on the Women's Suffrage Movement and the Civil Rights Movement. The site includes a video tour of the exhibit, an interactive timeline, a bibliography, and lesson plans with standards for grade levels between fourth grade and twelfth grade. The lesson plans presume a visit to the museum, but could be adapted fairly easily for groups who are unable to visit the museum itself.
tag(s): branches of government (28), civil rights (77), constitution (64), freedom of speech (4), womens suffrage (10)
In the Classroom
While the site is focused on preparing students for a visit to the Henry Ford Museum, the site provides good resources and lesson plans for the study of both the Women's Suffrage Movement and the Civil Rights Movement. The interactive timeline would be useful with an interactive whiteboard, and the questions for investigation contained in the student guides and lesson plans are powerful discussion generators regardless of where the lesson is delivered. Consider using the "Constitution IQ Test" for lessons on the government of the United States. The video tour of the exhibit also provides a "virtual field trip" experience.
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Zoodles - Mark Williamson & Rich Humphrey
Grades
K to 3
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Zoodles offers a safe web platform for kids that includes fun and educational games, videos, and activities. The BASIC membership to this tool includes countless activities in a variety...more
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Zoodles offers a safe web platform for kids that includes fun and educational games, videos, and activities. The BASIC membership to this tool includes countless activities in a variety of subject areas. Many of the activities come from other sites (Starfall, PBS kids, etc.). But this is a nice compilation of subjects and activities. The safety in this program is that once it is downloaded and opened, children don't view the regular computer toolbars anymore. Thus they can't search the web on their own. To exit the program, click QUIT and OK.
There is a parent play-along mode that helps guide learning experiences in a more personal way. Zoodles has been created to work on virtually any type of computer, including tablets and smart phones. Games are searchable by age (toddler to 8 yrs old), and subject. Many games will also have parent ratings with the educational and fun value of the activity. Creating an account is easy and requires simple user information including email and the child's age. This is used to populate age-appropriate games. There is a premium membership with more features.
This site includes advertising.
There is a parent play-along mode that helps guide learning experiences in a more personal way. Zoodles has been created to work on virtually any type of computer, including tablets and smart phones. Games are searchable by age (toddler to 8 yrs old), and subject. Many games will also have parent ratings with the educational and fun value of the activity. Creating an account is easy and requires simple user information including email and the child's age. This is used to populate age-appropriate games. There is a premium membership with more features.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): addition (180), body systems (42), constitution (64), counting (100), grammar (197), numbers (159), operations (84), phonics (63), preK (164), subtraction (145)
In the Classroom
Create 2 or 3 (or more, as needed) classroom accounts with different age levels to provide diversity for students. Each account then be bookmarked on classroom computers for student use. Share this site through your classroom blog or newsletter as a resource for learning games at home. Use activities from the site on your interactive whiteboard or projector as a classroom activity. Provide this link to parents to use on rainy days or during the summer.
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Social Studies Foldables - Susie Orr
Grades
4 to 8
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Find downloadable pdfs and templates to support US History social studies curriculum. An extensive list of offerings includes items from maps to events to documents etc. The site also...more
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Find downloadable pdfs and templates to support US History social studies curriculum. An extensive list of offerings includes items from maps to events to documents etc. The site also includes limited suggestions on how to use the offerings. There are also links to other maps at this carefully documented site. Scroll down to see the letter from the person who created the originals, as the "Read Me First" note suggests.
tag(s): abolition (7), american revolution (52), bill of rights (20), black history (41), colonial america (89), declaration of independence (9), history day (14), inventors and inventions (93), louisiana purchase (7), maps (194), native americans (48), politics (71), presidents (87), slavery (56), states (150), washington (26)
In the Classroom
Even if you do not have time to explore all the offerings, check the list of activities often to enrich your background information on U.S. historical events and people and your lessons. Search for templates or maps that are useful to what you are currently studying.
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Science (and more) to Music - Dr. Lodge McCammon
Grades
4 to 12
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This site offers many songs related to math, social studies, and science concepts. Science concepts include water & pollution, scientific inquiry, changes in matter, and much more....more
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This site offers many songs related to math, social studies, and science concepts. Science concepts include water & pollution, scientific inquiry, changes in matter, and much more. Math concepts range from order of operations to quadratic and exponential functions. After choosing a topic, you can listen to the song online, download the mp3, view lyrics, and possibly view an accompanying video. (Not all topics include the video.) Some topics also include a teacher guide with lesson suggestions. This site does mention that you can create your own videos. However, at the time of this review, that feature was not working.
tag(s): africa (173), area (40), atoms (42), bill of rights (20), branches of government (28), cells (74), civil war (113), constitution (64), elements (31), equations (98), exponents (29), factoring (18), factors (31), functions (46), inquiry (30), integers (35), matter (39), nutrition (116), oceans (112), order of operations (19), quadratics (15), rainforests (10), ratios (38), songs (43), sound (83), volume (28), water (101), world war 2 (127)
In the Classroom
Play songs related to math, social studies, or science concepts in class to supplement current lessons. Download and play the tunes on iPods or mp3 players in a listening corner. Have younger students sing along with the songs (reading the lyrics). ESL/ELL students will benefit from such an alternate presentation of concepts, as will any who have strong musical/rhythmic intelligence. Give students copies of song lyrics, and have them create their own songs. After listening to a song, have students create their own song relating to current classroom topics. Suggest some familiar tunes so students do not have to start from scratch. Create a video of the songs and share using a site such as SchoolTube reviewed here.
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Yodio - Audio Publishing Enterprises, Inc.
Grades
K to 12
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Yodio allows you to create narration and soundtracks for photos and images using either the computer or cell phone. Yodios are easy to share on social networking sites, using embed...more
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Yodio allows you to create narration and soundtracks for photos and images using either the computer or cell phone. Yodios are easy to share on social networking sites, using embed codes for web pages and blogs, or by emailing to friends. Create a sample project and embed it on your school website, or you can email your project codes. Search through popular Yodios or create your own. There are some excellent examples that could be shared with students so that they better understand the capabilities and possibilities of using this tool. Check out our TeachersFirst Sample: Watch the video here.
tag(s): narrative (21), photography (113), sound (83)
In the Classroom
We recommend watching (and showing the entire class) the introduction to Yodio. Show the introduction on your interactive whiteboard or projector. This gives a good, brief explanation of the features and capabilities of Yodio. To create Yodios, you will need to be able to record sound on your computer or use a cell phone to call the number and record your voice. You will need to be able to locate image files on your computer to upload. Make sure that your photo size meets the site requirements and that you allow adequate time for uploading. If your computer goes to sleep or shuts down during the download process, it will need to start over. Ten minutes for medium sized files should be enough time. Your initial Yodio setup will give step by step instructions and points. If you have a strict filter in your district, try uploading images from home or somewhere without a filter.Registration requires a cell phone number. If this is a tool you intend on using for a whole class, it may be a good idea to purchase a cheap, pay by the minute cell phone to have the class use. (This maybe something you could work into your school budget if you find yourself using the tool a lot.) Or, have students register from home. This will take more discussion and parent permission slips depending upon your district policies. You may want to use this tool to make materials for younger students rather than having students create their own. Students do need to access email to finish registration requirements. Also, be sure to spell out consequences of inappropriate use/content of yodios. When sharing samples, have them chosen ahead of time for students and warn them about smart searching and other good Internet etiquette.
At the elementary level, create Yodios of books by narrating images and then sharing them with your students or create them together as a class. Have older students create Yodios as alternatives to standard projects such as pamphlets, posters, or presentations. Publish Yodios to your Wikispace or website so students can review each others' work. Have students who are doing fundraisers make commercials using Yodio and publish to school and community websites. Have students make commercials for an chemical element, a Bill of Rights amendment, or an author. Use Yodios to advertise favorite library books or as anti-drug messages. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
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Ourdocuments.gov - National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Grades
8 to 12
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This site offers teachers and students the opportunity to explore documents of a 100 milestones in American history. The documents chronicle United States history from 1776 to 1965:...more
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This site offers teachers and students the opportunity to explore documents of a 100 milestones in American history. The documents chronicle United States history from 1776 to 1965: Lee Resolution, Treaty of Paris, Federalist Papers Bill of Rights, Missouri Compromise, Monroe Doctrine, Plessy v. Ferguson, Surrender of Japan, Marshall Plan, Brown v. Board of Education, and many more. The neat part about all the documents is that it shows the entire original document (it can be enlarged and zoomed in on) and then offers information about the document below. Now your students can experience primary sources with explanations.
There is a link called "Tools for Educators" that has a downloadable teacher sourcebook. (Although it's the 2004 edition, only the first part of the sourcebook is about a competition for the year 2005.) The book has resources, how to use the documents, lesson plans, follow up activities, printouts, etc. Although the site is slightly dated, it includes some real gems. The site also offers ideas for librarians, classroom integration tips, and photos and downloadable posters.
There is a link called "Tools for Educators" that has a downloadable teacher sourcebook. (Although it's the 2004 edition, only the first part of the sourcebook is about a competition for the year 2005.) The book has resources, how to use the documents, lesson plans, follow up activities, printouts, etc. Although the site is slightly dated, it includes some real gems. The site also offers ideas for librarians, classroom integration tips, and photos and downloadable posters.
tag(s): bill of rights (20), constitution (64)
In the Classroom
Although this site has links for integrating the material for the classroom, teachers could also create a blog site which students can post their thoughts about a milestone document for discussion. A bingo game could be created based on the 100 Milestone documents. Don't let the age group deter you from doing this -students of all ages love a good game of bingo - especially with a prize incentive!Why not assign individual documents to cooperative learning groups to investigate, read, and create a multimedia presentation to share with the class. Have students create online posters on paper or do it together as a class using a tool such as Web Poster Wizard (reviewed here) or PicLits (reviewed here).
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Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States - Teaching American History
Grades
6 to 12
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Students are ordinarily much more familiar with the signing of the Declaration of Independence than the signing of the Constitution, even though the signing of the Constitution may...more
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Students are ordinarily much more familiar with the signing of the Declaration of Independence than the signing of the Constitution, even though the signing of the Constitution may arguably be the more important event. A painting by Howard Chandler Christy documents the event, and this site provides an interactive look at the characters depicted in the painting. There is also a link to more information about the painting, which is one of the most historically accurate paintings of the founding of our country, despite the fact that it does not actually depict all of the signers. A number of other resource links may be worth pursuing for further information.
tag(s): constitution (64)
In the Classroom
A great resource for the interactive whiteboard or projector, although be aware that you may need to disable your pop-up blocker to get the information to display properly. Challenge students to find other paintings depicting famous events in United States (or another country). Have cooperative learning groups create multimedia presentation about the paintings. Create fictitious blog entries from one character in a painting to another character within another painting at another famous event. What would John F. Kennedy write to Benjamin Franklin?
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Annenberg Classroom - NPR/NY Times
Grades
6 to 12
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This collaborative website focuses on controversial contemporary issues, including juvenile justice, eco-topics, gun control, women's rights, voting rights, civil liberties in war,...more
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This collaborative website focuses on controversial contemporary issues, including juvenile justice, eco-topics, gun control, women's rights, voting rights, civil liberties in war, and affirmative action. Help students understand the role of the news media in a democracy. This website combines the radio broadcast resources of Justice Talking and written articles and features from the NY Times Learning Network. Lesson plans corresponding to each "hot topic" offer social studies, language arts, and science teachers opportunities to connect the real news with topics in their curricula. A glossary of words important to the democratic process and a link to the Constitution with a "what it says, what it means" feature allow students to understand authentic sources as well as historical references. "In Their Own Words" (accessible from the Site Guide) provides primary source documents and statements from each of the three branches of government, from the press, and from schools.
tag(s): civil rights (77), ecology (124), radio (20), women (88)
In the Classroom
Use this site to help students explore the branches of government in action as they address a "hot topic." Have groups of students listen to real broadcasts and analyze the issues as examples of the constitutional concepts you are studying. Make this link available from your teacher web page while studying the Constitution, the branches of government, and many other social studies topics. Use your interactive whiteboard or projection screen to share a video or audio clip to spark discussion on an issue or activate your lesson. Then, divide your class into teams and have a class debate about the issue. Have students prepare a pro/con wiki using links to the primary sources to support their position or create their own podcast commentaries with support for their opinions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Map of Historic Philadelphia in the Late 18th century - Teaching American History.org
Grades
5 to 12
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Try this simple, graphically attractive interactive map of Philadelphia during the time of the Founding Fathers. Click on the featured landmarks, and further information about that...more
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Try this simple, graphically attractive interactive map of Philadelphia during the time of the Founding Fathers. Click on the featured landmarks, and further information about that building and its significance during the time of the Revolution appears in a pop up window.
tag(s): american revolution (52), evolution (96), philadelphia (13)
In the Classroom
This site is ideal for an interactive whiteboard or projector, and can help students visually imagine the world of 1776 Philadelphia and America's Founding Fathers. Use it to illustrate narratives about the Continental Congress, the writing of the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution or to give students a "you are there" feeling when talking about the American Revolution. If you choose to have students "take the tour" on their own, have them work with a partner to write up a script for a tour guide to use and record the "best" one for your class podcast this month.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Kids Know Your Rights - American Library Association
Grades
6 to 12
3 Favorites
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This pdf document explains in clear language the concept of intellectual freedom. Use this site as an extra resource when teaching the Bill of Rights. It is an excellent reference ...more
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This pdf document explains in clear language the concept of intellectual freedom. Use this site as an extra resource when teaching the Bill of Rights. It is an excellent reference resource for ideas that older Americans assume kids know about. Subtopics include the history of intellectual freedom, the first amendment, an explanation of the role of libraries in exercising intellectual freedom as it applies to written materials and records of who's reading what, how the concepts of privacy and confidentiality apply to the use of intellectual materials, and what respecting the needs of others means. It ends up with an well-researched bibliography of further materials on the subject of intellectual freedom and the right to read. These books are fiction and non-fiction and focus on ages 10 and older.
tag(s): bill of rights (20), constitution (64)
In the Classroom
Share this pdf on an interactive whiteboard or projector as part of a class discussion (great for reading comprehension in the content areas, too!). Then allow students to use it and other resources for a class debate on the pros and cons of intellectual freedom. The consitution will come to life in a context students care about.
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Old Ironsides Gallery
Grades
3 to 8
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This Ship's Photo Album shows a lot of pictures of the U.S.S. Constitution today. ...more
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This Ship's Photo Album shows a lot of pictures of the U.S.S. Constitution today.
tag(s): boston (15), colonial america (89), constitution (64)
In the Classroom
Share this and other sections of the TeachersFirst Colonial America tour as part of your study of the colonies so students can see what these historic locations look like today. Use a projector to share the photos or allow students to explore and report on Boston sites as they study colonial times.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Pledge of Allegiance Resources - Pew Forum
Grades
9 to 12
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The United States Constitution is put to the test in the 2004 Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow Supreme Court case. This site contains background information and supporting...more
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The United States Constitution is put to the test in the 2004 Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow Supreme Court case. This site contains background information and supporting documents that explore the constitutionality of a school district policy requiring teachers to lead students in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Links are provided to briefs, related articles, and editorials. Give your students an authentic introduction to how constitutional law and case law can affect the public school system. Created by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
tag(s): constitution (64), courts (12), speech (83)
In the Classroom
Regardless of the topic picked, this site is an excellent springboard for a class debate. Share the site on an interactive whiteboard or projector, and allow students to examine all the arguments put forth by the court and lobbyists. Once completed, ask students what they think is constitutional. What arguments would they have used? Do they agree with any? An excellent source for any civics, philosophy or social studies class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Skype in the Classroom - Skype Limited
Grades
K to 12
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Use Skype as a great tool to connect to others around the nation or the world. Solve the problem of finding classrooms...more
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Use Skype as a great tool to connect to others around the nation or the world. Solve the problem of finding classrooms and various projects with this great site. Use this free site to look through projects, tips from other teachers, and find other teachers to collaborate and connect with your students. Create a profile including your interests and the age, subject, languages, and more information about students. Use the "Project" link to list or find projects, classes, teachers, or speakers. Search the project link by speaker, project, age range of students, language, subject, and tags.
tag(s): colonial america (89), constitution (64), philadelphia (13), skype (7)
In the Classroom
To browse the activities, no special skills are required. If you plan to create your own activity, a Skype account is necessary. Use your Skype login to use this site. Be sure to check with school authorities before scheduling or using Skype with students. Be sure the Acceptable Use Policy covers the use of such tools. Spend time discussing appropriate and inappropriate behavior with students prior to using Skype or participating in many of the projects found on this site.Browse through the projects link to find ideas, tips from other teachers, and to find teachers to collaborate and connect with your students. You can search the project ideas by project, age range, language, subject, tags, and more. Connect the Skyping computer to a projector or whiteboard for the entire class to see if you are using video. (The video will be fuzzy, but good enough to follow a person's face.) Use Skype to talk to authors (check out their web sites or this blog for contact information). Have students write questions in advance. Use your contacts, web page "contact us" emails, and parent contacts to find others willing to Skype into your classroom. Interview scientists or government officials, deployed military personnel, or classes far away in a different culture or language. Younger students can compare weather, family life, community events, and more. Learn other ideas for using Skype in your classroom at this valuable website.
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Conversations on the Constitution: Sign the Constitution - American Bar Association
Grades
6 to 12
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Each year, teachers are asked to observe Constitution Day with special instruction on one of the United States' founding documents. In many areas, residents are asked to add their signatures...more
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Each year, teachers are asked to observe Constitution Day with special instruction on one of the United States' founding documents. In many areas, residents are asked to add their signatures to a copy of the Constitution to show their support. This site from the American Bar Association provides students the opportunity to add their virtual signature, and provides sample lesson plans and resources, including some flash-enabled interactive lessons and activities on specific aspects of the application of the Constitution. Don't miss the "Interactive Features" link. This site does include some unobtrusive advertisements.
tag(s): bill of rights (20), constitution (64)
In the Classroom
Use the lesson plan suggestions to meet the mandate for instruction on Constitution Day, but be sure and check out the other resources for lessons on civics, government, current events and the Constitution itself. The section called "Conversation Starters" provides a rich resource of writing prompts, group discussion builders or assignments that provoke higher level thinking.
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Who Wrote the Constitution? - NARA
Grades
6 to 12
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Here's a collection of biographies of the people who were responsible for writing our Constitution. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention were an interesting group, and this...more
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Here's a collection of biographies of the people who were responsible for writing our Constitution. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention were an interesting group, and this site lets you learn more about them.
tag(s): colonial america (89), constitution (64), philadelphia (13)
In the Classroom
Share this and other sections of the TeachersFirst Colonial America tour as part of your study of the colonies so students can see what these historic locations look like today.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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