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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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 (6), american revolution (35), bill of rights (20), black history (31), colonial america (80), declaration of independence (7), history day (9), inventors and inventions (88), louisiana purchase (7), maps (159), native americans (32), politics (51), presidents (76), slavery (41), states (144), washington (19)
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 (168), area (24), atoms (28), bill of rights (20), branches of government (18), cells (57), civil war (78), constitution (59), elements (26), equations (68), exponents (19), factoring (11), factors (28), functions (36), inquiry (24), integers (25), matter (27), nutrition (98), oceans (101), order of operations (9), quadratics (6), rainforests (8), ratios (20), songs (36), sound (70), volume (23), water (88), world war 2 (116)
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 (16), photography (91), sound (70)
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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Hall of Presidents - Fraboom
Grades
3 to 9
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Use cartoons and humor to help teach civics. This section of the Fraboom website discusses the U.S. Presidents, the electoral vote, the creation of laws, and highlights key vocabulary...more
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Use cartoons and humor to help teach civics. This section of the Fraboom website discusses the U.S. Presidents, the electoral vote, the creation of laws, and highlights key vocabulary words. There are videos, interactives, cartoons, and more. There is an option to purchase a premium membership but the free account offer plenty of excellent features. Students do not need to create an account to access the "Hall of Presidents".
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): bill of rights (20), comics and cartoons (46), drawing (52), elections (55), electoral college (8), lincoln (58), presidents (76)
In the Classroom
This is a great resource to use with your social studies curriculum or to teach about the Presidents. Use the animated videos on this site for an anticipatory set or "activator" that introduces a civics unit or lesson on how the electoral vote works. Share the interactives and/or videos on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Use this site as a center to support a unit about the Presidents of the United States. Have students practice identifying the humorous cartoons of former presidents. Post a link to this site on your class website so students can watch the videos at home. Use the video cartoon about Abe Lincoln to inspire students to animate biographies about presidents. Consider using sites such as go animate reviewed here to create these engaging reports.
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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 (59)
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 (59)
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 (58), ecology (112), radio (17), women (79)
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 (35), evolution (86), philadelphia (12)
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
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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 (59)
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 (12), colonial america (80), constitution (59)
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 (59), courts (12), speech (78)
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 (80), constitution (59), philadelphia (12), 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 (59)
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 (80), constitution (59), philadelphia (12)
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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Independence National Historic Park - NPS.gov
Grades
5 to 12
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Independence National Historic Park is the National Park which encompasses Independence Hall and the surrounding area. Visitors can tour Independence Hall, visit the Liberty Bell, and...more
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Independence National Historic Park is the National Park which encompasses Independence Hall and the surrounding area. Visitors can tour Independence Hall, visit the Liberty Bell, and learn about the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the Constitution. This site provides directions, operating hours, and other information for those planning a visit. There are also pages which provide additional details on the history of the various buildings and the events that happened in them.
tag(s): colonial america (80), constitution (59), philadelphia (12)
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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2010 Census - US Census Bureau
Grades
6 to 12
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Every ten years, the United States participates in a census; the census represents both a raw count of the country's population, but also how that population is distributed demographically....more
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Every ten years, the United States participates in a census; the census represents both a raw count of the country's population, but also how that population is distributed demographically. The US Census Bureau has begun unrolling the data collected during this most recent census. This site will continue to update, so check back often for more. The ability of the Internet and computer data to be distributed widely has changed significantly since the 2000 census, and this site reflects increased transparency and ease of access to this vital information.
tag(s): census (14), demographics (10), population (32)
In the Classroom
First, it's important for students to know that the US Constitution requires a census, and second, that the information gathered is used in a variety of important ways that affect them directly. The first data posted looks at how shifts in population density will change the way various geographic areas of the country are represented in the US government. Consider reading the Director's blog for further analysis of how census data is being used on a local, state, and national level. Of course, the data are perfect for using in math and civics classes for teaching graph reading and creation, and for providing real-life information to use in statistical analysis. A civics or sociology class might download a copy of the census form and consider what the questions tell us about how families live in the 21st century. What questions might students add to a future census form that would reflect how things are changing for their generation?
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A Class Divided - Frontline/PBS-WGBH Educational Foundation
Grades
6 to 12
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This is one of the most requested programs for effectively conveying the reality of discrimination, what it feels like, and how it can change a person. Frontline, the PBS news-magazine...more
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This is one of the most requested programs for effectively conveying the reality of discrimination, what it feels like, and how it can change a person. Frontline, the PBS news-magazine show, produced this gripping piece that tackles the controversy, complexity, and consequences of discrimination that have shaped our society. This film and collection of activities are based on the 1970 documentary of the daring lesson that teacher Jane Elliott taught her third-grade class to give them a firsthand experience in the meaning of discrimination, immediately following the assassination of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. The film shows what she taught the children and the impact that lesson had on their lives. It includes three major segments: the footage of the original documentary of Jane Elliott's third-graders, (approximately 20 minutes), the reunion of those third-graders 14 years later who talk about the effect her lesson has had on their lives, (approximately 7 minutes), and also Elliott teaching her lesson to adult employees of Iowa's prison system and how their reactions to her exercise were similar to those of the children, (approximately 20 minutes). A Teachers' Guide, as well as an abundance of supplementary materials that allow students to wrestle with realistic ideas, are available on this site.
tag(s): black history (31), bullying (38), civil rights (58), diversity (39), racism (12), segregation (16), tolerance (12)
In the Classroom
Help your students understand why Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated and raise their awareness of discrimination and the struggle for civil rights by involving them in active viewing of A Class Divided projected on your classroom interactive whiteboard or projector. You can view the film in its entirety, or in separate chapters followed by the Discussion Questions. You may want to give students a specific task to do during the film. For example, you might ask them to listen for a particular issue or the answers to a set of questions, or take notes in preparation for one of the post-viewing activities. Replay the video or pause for discussion whenever you choose for focused, in depth exploration. Depending on your students' background knowledge and grade level, you may want to review or introduce some of the basic tenets of the United States Constitution that provide the legal grounding for equality and protection of individual rights. Explain that there are examples in American history when individuals' rights were denied and that many civil rights activists were arrested for either challenging demonstrating or breaking rules that they thought were unfair. Pose some of the questions for written assignments and discussion. This is a perfect lesson for Black History Month! Divide the class into groups to brainstorm situations that exist today within our own communities, and how they would feel and deal with it if they were the subjects. Students can easily create mind maps using free tools from Teachersfirst, such as diagrammr.com reviewed here or bubbl.us reviewed here. Have students choose words from songs to explore themes of freedom and equality, using Stories Behind the Songs reviewed here. High school students could extend this to a reading and study of the final chapter of "One America in the 21st Century," the 1998 report of President Bill Clinton's Initiative on Race, which lists 10 things that every American should do to promote racial reconciliation. Ask students to add anything they think is missing and make a commitment to continue the crusade to end discrimination.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Supreme Court: Games - PBS
Grades
9 to 12
5 Favorites
0 Comments
As a supplement to their series on The Supreme Court, PBS has prepared nine interactive modules on various aspects of the high court. Although they are called "games" most are ...more
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As a supplement to their series on The Supreme Court, PBS has prepared nine interactive modules on various aspects of the high court. Although they are called "games" most are simply interactive lessons on topics including a quiz on the constitution, information on the symbols used by the court to illustrate its importance to the US system of government, civil rights rulings, specific justices of note, and landmark cases. For reasons not immediately apparent, one of the interactives requires registration with an email address and password. Rather than using your personal or work email, create a free Gmail account to use for memberships. If you plan to have students register individually, you may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how to set up GMail subaccounts to use for any online membership service. There are also links to educator resources and lesson plans.
tag(s): civil rights (58), constitution (59), supreme court (21)
In the Classroom
These lessons would be useful on an interactive whiteboard or projector along with a unit on the Supreme Court or the US judicial system. Students might also use them to to extend or enrich the topic on their own time, or when they have completed other classwork. They are well researched and informative, however, most students won't view them as "games" as they are labeled. Have cooperative learning groups investigate one specific topic and share their discoveries with the class. Challenge students to create a video and share using a site such as SchoolTube (reviewed here).
This resource requires Adobe Flash.
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Argument Wars - iCivics Inc.
Grades
5 to 10
3 Favorites
0 Comments
This site offers a creative way to teach landmark Supreme Court cases. The site provides five historical court cases for students to argue. Each case is a separate interactive. In ...more
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This site offers a creative way to teach landmark Supreme Court cases. The site provides five historical court cases for students to argue. Each case is a separate interactive. In each activity, students play a lawyer who represents one side in the case. Using supporting documents, students must choose the best argument for the side they are representing. Students "win" the game and case if they score more points than their computer generated opponent.
tag(s): constitution (59)
In the Classroom
This site is great way to review the amendments of the US Constitution. Using an interactive whiteboard or projector, complete one case as a whole group so students can see how the interactive should work. Use the provided handouts so students can take notes as you are working through the case. When it is time for students to work independently, make a shortcut to this site on classroom computers and use it as a center. Divide students into cooperative learning groups to explore the site. Afterward have a discussion or have students journal using the provided discussion questions. Why not create a "Argument Wars Wiki" to discuss the cases. Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries - check out the TeachersFirst's Wiki Walk-Through. This site does not have a save feature so students have to complete the entire activity to see if they've won. For students that need more of a challenge, assign them Gideon v. Wainwright. Students have to examine two arguments which makes it more challenging.
This resource requires Adobe Flash and PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Do I Have a Right? - iCivics Inc.
Grades
5 to 10
1 Favorites
0 Comments
In this interactive role playing game, students take on the role of a lawyer starting a new business. Students take on cases, hire lawyers and try to grow their business. ...more
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In this interactive role playing game, students take on the role of a lawyer starting a new business. Students take on cases, hire lawyers and try to grow their business. To be successful, they must understand constitutional amendments. Students can earn prestige points by successfully interacting with clients and winning cases. In order to have a thriving law practice, students have to hire lawyers that are familiar with various amendments. Lesson plans and after-activity PowerPoints are provided.
tag(s): constitution (59)
In the Classroom
This site is great way to review the amendments of the US Constitution. Make a shortcut to this site on classroom computers and use it as a center. Divide students into cooperative learning groups to explore the site. Working in groups have a class competition to see who can win the most cases and achieve the most prestige points. Afterward, have a discussion about the process each group used to build their law firm. This site does not have a save feature so the teacher should set a duration for play. Built in help makes this site useful for students who might need some additional guidance. Use the final score printout to assign your students a grade.To fully involve students in their "law firm," have them create a firm logo and "shingle" using an online graphics tool such as Supalogo, reviewed here. Print the logos for classroom decorations or have students upload them to law firm pages on on your class wiki.
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