Constitution Day

September 17, 2019 – Constitution Day

 

North Carolina Essential Standards: 

8.H.1.2: Summarize the literal meaning of historical documents in order to establish context.

8.H.2.3: Summarize the role of debate, compromise, and negotiation during significant periods in the history of North Carolina and the United States.

8.C&G.1.1: Summarize democratic ideals expressed in local, state, and national government (e.g. limited government, popular sovereignty, separation of powers, republicanism, federalism and individual rights).

8.C&G.1.2: Evaluate the degree to which democratic ideals are evident in historical documents from North Carolina and the United States (e.g. the Mecklenburg Resolves, the Halifax Resolves, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Bill of Rights and the principles outlined in the US Constitution and North Carolina Constitutions of 1776, 1868 and 1971).

8.C&G.1.3: Analyze differing viewpoints on the scope and power of state and national governments (e.g. Federalists and anti-Federalists, education, immigration and healthcare).

Essential Questions:

  1. Is it important for citizens to know what is in the Constitution? Why or why not?
  2. What Enlightenment ideas were essential to the writing of the Constitution?
  3. How is the Constitution of the United States a “living document”?
  4. Why do we still disagree about what the Constitution says even today?

 

Activities:

  1. Watch the VIDEO: Overview of the Constitution by Sandra Day O’Connor  (18:11) Please use earbuds so that you can quietly view on your own.
  2. READWORKS: Log in and go to assignments. Read the articles on “The Preamble of the Constitution” and “The Bill of Rights” and answer the questions. These articles are grouped together under the title: U.S. CONSTITUTION; POWER & LIBERTY. DO NOT WORK ON ANY OTHER ARTICLES IN READWORKS. 
  3. BRAINPOP: Complete all of the assignments on the U.S. CONSTITUTION and BILL OF RIGHTS
  4.  EXPLORE the Interactive Constitution
  5. EXPLORE Which Founding Father are You?   Interactive Quiz (Facebook style) [constitutionfacts.com]
  6. TEST your knowledge with the Constitution Facts Quiz
  7. CREATE – CONSTITUTION DAY POSTER: Click HERE for inspiration. Your poster should reflect the American spirit and the values and guideline for government set forth in the Constitution, Bill of Rights or Amendments. It should be colorful and eye catching! Be CREATIVE.

NOTE: USE YOUR CLASS TIME WISELY. BE SURE TO COMPLETE the READWORKS and BRAINPOP activities. Do your best; these are for a GRADE.