US National Archives
National Archives: Teaching Six Big Ideas in the Constitution
The Constitution can be broken down into 6 main themes: Limited Government, Federalism, Republicanism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Popular Sovereignty. Students will study background on the Founding Fathers and use...
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: The Marshall Cases: Cohens v. Virginia
Read the text of the Supreme Court decision, Cohens v. Virginia, which was limited states' rights.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: George Mason the Virginia Bill of Rights
The Virginia Bill of Rights was the framework for the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. Some of Mason's actual phrasing appear in the first ten amendments passed fifteen years later. He is credited for authoring the first American...
US National Archives
Nara: The Magna Carta
One of the historical events that led to the creation of the limited government of the United States, the Magna Carta was written in 1215 as a promise from King John of England to his demanding barons. It put English kings under the rule...
Other
Third amendment.com: A Brief History of the Third Amendment
A discussion of the text of the Third Amendment to the Constitution and it's limited history in legal cases.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress Link: Teaching the Amendments Lesson Plan
This online lesson plan teaches young scholars "The amendments to the Constitution through the use of CongressLink, Internet resources, and creative activities." Students will also gain a sense that "Many rights are limited and...