iCivics
I Civics: Benjamin Franklin Mini Lesson
"The First American", Benjamin Franklin, is the only Founding Father that signed all three major documents that founded the United States of America. Learners explore the many roles he took during the founding of America.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Framing, Ratification and Amendment Quiz
Quiz yourself over the framing, ratification, and amendments to the Constitution.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: John Witherspoon
He was a father figure to America's Founders. A renowned theologian from Scotland, John Witherspoon educated many young men who became prominent leaders of the Founding generation. He went on to embrace the revolutionary cause. He signed...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Benjamin Franklin
Although he was the old sage of the American Revolution and the Founding generation, Benjamin Franklin's considerable work in the areas of journalism, science, and invention often obscure his many contributions to the creation of the...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: George Mason
George Mason's ideas helped to shape the Founding documents of the United States, but few Americans remember him today. The words he used when writing the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Constitution of 1776 inspired the...
iCivics
I Civics: Constitutional Principles
The Founding Fathers created a government based on a set of fundamental principles carefully designed to guarantee liberty. This lesson lets students look at the Constitution from the perspective of its foundational principles and make...
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Early America
[Free Registration/Login Required] The Revolution and Early America unit covers the standard eighteenth century topics that would appear in any textbook. These lessons, however, will push students to dig deeper as they read the documents...
Library of Congress
Loc: Temple of Liberty
The Library of Congress presents research materials about the building of the United States Capitol. Conceiving of themselves as inheritors, guardians, and conveyors of Western civilization, our founding fathers slowly built a Capitol...
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.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: John Jay
Overview and biographical facts on the life of John Jay, first Chief Justice of the United States and one of its Founding Fathers.
Digital History
Digital History: Religion in the Early Republic: Introduction
A brief review of the role of religion in the lives of American founding fathers, and a hint of the changes to come in the 19th century.
University of Florida
Freedom of Speech: The First Amendment and the u.s. Constitution
Interactive site outlines thoughts on the First Amendment from four founding fathers. Click on their faces to find an index reflecting their thoughts. From a student project at University of Florida.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: u.s. Constitution and the Idea of Compromise (Lesson Plan)
In this activity, examine many of the opposing viewpoints held by founding fathers as they considered various compromises that made the U.S. Constitution possible, including the three-fifths compromise made to placate slave-owning states.
Library of Congress
Loc: Thomas Jefferson's Library
Resource showcases the holdings of Thomas Jefferson's personal library built around the themes of memory, reason, and imagination.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Making Friends With Franklin
Come meet Benjamin Franklin and some of his scientific friends. Learn about them through the eyes of early American portraiture. Following the introduction are three great lesson plans for teachers of language arts, science, and visual...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: John Adams
An overall look at the life of America's second president, John Adams (1735-1826 CE). Contains small articles of information, as well as portraits, actual photos of inaugural addresses, obituary notices, and more.
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based: Reading Like a Historian: Declaration of Independence
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to investigate central historical questions. In this investigation students weigh contrasting interpretations by prominent historians to answer the question: Why...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: James Monroe
A fascinating look at the life of President James Monroe, and his impact on history. Provides brief articles, portraits, as well as photos of documents from the archives of The Library of Congress.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Constitutional Convention: Delegates: Biographies
Illustrated biographical sketches of delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, organized by state delegation.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: Portrait of George Washington
Historical information on famous painting of George Washington by Pearle, with interactive features to click and learn meaning behind items in the portrait and links to an in-depth history of the painting as well as virtual visit to the...
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: u.s. History Module: Did Founders Want Government to Work? [Pdf]
A comprehensive learning module on the system of government established by the founders that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and primary source materials, followed by a summative performance task....
US National Archives
National Archives: Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat
Benjamin Franklin was the only man to help shape all the major documents that established the United States. Students will review those documents and match the correct document to its description. Upon completion, students will choose...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Founders Quotes
Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood. -...
CommonLit
Common Lit: "Alexander Hamilton" by Jessica Mc Birney
Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804) was an American political figure and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. In this informational text, Jessica McBirney discusses Hamilton's life and accomplishments, specifically his...