{photo by wynpnt}
Welcome back to school, and to our second trimester! Let’s dive right in with an assortment of supplemental links all about the US Constitution. This is another topic that you could spend hours and hours learning about online – there are so many great sites about the Constitution! Here are several to explore:
VIDEOS:
Schoolhouse Rock – The Preamble:
Barney Fife: The Preamble to the Constitution – Here’s some fun humor from the Andy Griffith Show –our kids (who memorize a lot!) will appreciate this one:
The Making of the American Constitution – This is a TED-Ed video, explaining how a meeting intended to revise the Articles of Confederation lead to the new Constitution for the United States:
A 3-Minute Guide to the Bill of Rights – A refresher course on exactly what the first ten amendments grant each and every American citizen:
The Constitution of the United States of America – This video explains the purpose, meaning, and intent of this most important American document:
We the People (Constitution Song) – A song to help kids memorize the Preamble to the Constitution:
We Hold These Truths (with Jimmy Stewart) – A 1941 Radio broadcast of the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. Audio only, and it’s an hour long, but something rare to listen to!
The National Constitution Center has a video on their website about the The Bill of Rights.
And don’t forget Liberty’s Kids – the last episode is about the Constitution!
WEBSITES:
10 Fast Facts on the Constitution
Interactive US Constitution – Explore the Constitution’s history and what it means today. (They also have an app!)
Pictures of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights – View the original documents (you can even zoom in) from the National Archives.
The text of the Constitution as a printable PDF file
The Constitution Happened Here – An online destination that celebrates constitutional and local history in Philadelphia and beyond through student-generated content including video, audio, text and photographs. Created by the National Constitution Center.
Amendment Cootie Catchers – A printable activity. This clever twist on the classic cootie catcher tests your knowledge of the first 10 amendments. Can you guess the rights hidden behind each amendment?
Printable Poster of the Constitution – From the National Constitution Center. If you have access to an 11×17 printer, you can print a large poster of the Constitution using this printable!
Preamble Scramble – A printable activity. Have fun getting to know the phrases of the Preamble while you unscramble the puzzle.
License Plate Preamble – A printable activity. The preamble of the Constitution is mixed on U.S. vanity license plates. Students must cut out the plates and arrange them in order so that together they form the preamble.
US Constitution Fun Zone – A variety of activities for various ages, even adults!
That’s Your Right – A challenging, fun card game that helps students learn about their rights under the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
Ben’s Guide – US Government information and activities for all ages.
