US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Constitution: About the Constitution
Ben's Guide is a fun way to present U.S. Government to students grades K-12. This site presents an introduction of the Constitution. Links to related sites are available.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Articles of Confederation, 1781
Gives a nice history of the Articles and also a summary of what they were and the problems that developed with their adoption. Includes links to the actual document.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Election of the President & Vice President: Electoral College
Provides information on the Electoral College and how we use this system to elect the President of the U.S. Features links to much more information on the election.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: The Early Republic
[Free Registration/Login Required] Read about the tremendous growing pains faced by the new republic of the United States from the presidency of George Washington up to the election of Thomas Jefferson. Find out about the domestic...
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Constitution Day: The 1965 Alabama Literacy Test
Constitution Day provides a good opportunity to review the Constitution in a new light by looking at registration obstructions that were common in the southern states.
Cato Institute
James Madison's Vision of Liberty [Pdf]
An article by the CATO institute about James Madison's vision for his writing and contribution for the U.S. Constitutional Convention. Includes information on his views of a limited government for citizens' rights.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: American Presidency: Jefferson's Resolution
Reviews Thomas Jefferson's decision to acquire the Louisiana Territory.
Other
Barefoots World: The Constitution for the United States
This site offers historical background for each of the amendments through quotes from writings of the time period.
Cornell University
Cornell University: Law School: Constitution of the u.s.
The Constitution of the United States is provided by the Legal Information Institute of Cornell University of Law.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Federalists
A brief look at the men who supported the new Constitution and the reasons they supported it.
Cornell University
Cornell University: Law School: Constitutional Law Overview
This site from the Cornell University Law School provides an overview of constitutional law as it applies in the United States, with links to additional information.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Centralized vs. Decentralized Rule: The Articles of Confederation
Activity comparing the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution. Using a variety of articles, students research and create a chart with explanations and critical comparisons of the two governing documents.
Ohio Test Prep
Ohio Test Prep: Module 3: Government
Learning module on American Government prepares students to take the Ohio state tests in Social Studies on topics including Laws, U.S. Constitution, Rights and Responsibilities, Framework of Government, and Separation of Powers. Includes...
Cornell University
Cornell University: Law School: Articles and Amendments
This resource gives a table of the Articles and Amendments of the United States Constitution.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Big Ideas of the u.s. Constitution
In this activity students will identify and define seven key ideas contained in the U.S. Constitution by making matches from the grid. They will then analyze documents that demonstrate each big idea in action.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The First Amendment
In this activity learners will analyze documents that span the course of American history to determine their connection to the different phrases found within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
US National Archives
Docsteach: To Sign or Not to Sign
Students will consider the arguments made by members of the Continental Congress regarding whether or not to sign the Declaration of Independence. They will also have the opportunity to analyze each section of the Declaration to...
US National Archives
Docsteach: We the People
In this activity, students will examine the original and final drafts of the Constitution and evaluate the significance of the selection of the words 'We the People.'
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Constitution in Action: Article I (Lab Team 2)
In this activity students will analyze the Declaration of Intention for Albert Einstein and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article I, sections 8-10 of the Constitution in action.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Constitution in Action: Article Ii (Lab Team 3)
For this activity students will analyze the Senate Journal of the First Congress and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article II of the Constitution in action.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Constitution in Action: Article Iii (Lab Team 4)
In this activity students will analyze the Opinion of the Court by Chief Justice Earl Warren in the Case of Miranda v. Arizona and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article III of the Constitution in action.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Constitution in Action: Article Iv (Lab Team 5)
For this activity students will analyze the Petition Against the Annexation of Hawaii and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article IV of the Constitution in action.
Other
Us Courts: Sixth Amendment Activities
Activities for the classroom in which students apply landmark Supreme Court cases to contemporary scenarios related to the right to counsel and right to a fair trial. With plan for teachers, word bank, and links to related resources.
Other
Us Courts: Fourth Amendment Activities
Activities for the classroom on the 4th Amendment in which students apply landmark Supreme Court cases to contemporary scenarios related to search and seizure issues at school, in the car, and the home. With lesson plan and links to...