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9/11: A Nation Remembers Classroom Activity

Lesson Plans

The events of September 11, 2001, changed our nation forever. Student in grades 7-12 are old enough to remember the events of this historic day. This guide is designed to help students consider the idea of memory in connection to the events of September 11. The activities included are presented in three parts: a pre-visit activity, introducing students to the ideas presented in the exhibit; a visit activity, designed to provide the students with the tools to be critical viewers of the exhibit; and a post-visit activity, where students connect the information collected in the previous two sections, creating new knowledge.

A Hero for Liberty

Lesson Plans

In groups, students will research and nominate Founders for the Liberty Medal as if the year were 1788 (first anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution).

High School, Middle School

Abraham Lincoln’s Crossroads

Online Resources

Abraham Lincoln’s Crossroads is an educational game based on the traveling exhibition Lincoln: The Constitution & the Civil War, which debuted at the National Constitution Center in June 2005. The online game is intended for advanced middle- and high-school students. It invites them to learn about Lincoln’s leadership by exploring the political choices he made. An animated Lincoln introduces a situation, asks for advice and prompts players to decide the issue for themselves, before learning the actual outcome. At the end of the game, players discover how frequently they predicted Lincoln’s actions. A Resources Page keyed to each chapter provides links to relevant Websites on Lincoln and the Civil War, permitting students to explore issues in more depth.

High School, Middle School

Address America: Your Six-Word Stump Speech

Lesson Plans

Named in the nineteenth century after the act of a politician giving a campaign speech on top of a sawed-off tree stump, a stump speech is a standard, consistent message delivered several times a week to different audiences. The need for a stump speech stems from a desire for candidates to keep their message consistent with their political platform. When a politician writes a stump speech, he or she usually discusses their credentials, identifies their platform, compares him or herself to other candidates, and attempts to unify the electorate under a specific purpose. While the beginning of the speech is usually tweaked to include mentions of local people and other noteworthy events, most of the speech remains identical from day to day.

High School, Middle School

Art of the American Soldier: Post-visit Activity

Lesson Plans

This activity is ideal for classes that have experienced the Art of the American Soldier exhibition at the National Constitution Center. This lesson encourages students to recall and reexamine three pieces of artwork they encountered in the exhibition through watching and listening to veteran war experiences. Students are then asked to point out details in the artwork they had not previously noticed before listening to the veteran war stories.

High School, Middle School

Art of the American Soldier: “Beach” Video

Online Resources

High School, Middle School

Art of the American Soldier: “Fracture Ward” Video

Online Resources

Art of the American Soldier: “Movies” Video

Online Resources

High School, Middle School

Art of the American Soldier: “Probing for Land Mines in Bosnia” Video

Online Resources

High School, Middle School

Articles of Confederation

Primary and Secondary Sources

Charter or first "Constitution" adopted by the 13 states following the American Revolution.

Bill of Rights

Primary and Secondary Sources

The first ten Amendments to the Constitution.

Bill of Rights Game

Online Resources

Help restore the Bill of Rights in this online game.

High School, Middle School

Breaking Barriers - Elementary School

Lesson Plans

In this lesson, students begin by learning about the concept of rights and how African Americans have been denied rights throughout U.S. history. After the program, they return to the classroom and work in groups to research selected events that characterized the civil rights movement. They present their events to the class through producing mock television newscasts.

Elementary School

Breaking Barriers - High School

Lesson Plans

In this lesson, students work in groups to research selected events that characterized the civil rights movement and present their events to the class. After the program, they return to the classroom to read and discuss A More Perfect Union, the speech that Barack Obama delivered as a presidential candidate at the National Constitution Center in March 2008. They conclude the lesson by writing essays in response to one of the speech’s key ideas.

High School

Breaking Barriers - Middle School

Lesson Plans

In this lesson, students work in groups to research selected events that characterized the civil rights movement and present their events to the class. After the program, they return to the classroom to read and discuss A More Perfect Union, the speech that Barack Obama delivered as a presidential candidate at the National Constitution Center in March 2008. They conclude the lesson by writing the president letters about how they plan to respond to his call to action.

Middle School

Consider the Reasons Why Many Americans Do Not Vote in National Elections

Lesson Plans

In this lesson, students will consider the reasons why many Americans do not vote in national elections and explore the increase in new registered voters for the 2004 presidential election. They then research a particular demographic and create an advertisement encouraging members of that group to vote.

High School, Middle School

Creating a Modern-Day Propaganda Poster

Lesson Plans

Students will discuss the purpose of propaganda posters in a “think-pair-share,” and identify posters they have seen both inside and outside of school.

Middle School

Declaration of Independence

Primary and Secondary Sources

Declaration of Independence and Acts of Courage

Lesson Plans

Elementary School, High School, Middle School

Emancipation Proclamation, Leland-Boker Edition, 1864

Primary and Secondary Sources

Enacted in 1862, this edition of the Emancipation Proclamation was auctioned to raise money for Union troops during the Civil War. It is signed by Pres. Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of State William Seward.

Founding Fathers

Primary and Secondary Sources

Learn about the delegates to the Constitution Convention of 1787.

Getting to Know the Founding Fathers

Lesson Plans

In the course of this lesson, students will consider the value of moderation and personal self-discipline.

High School

Hall Pass, The Bill of Rights

Online Resources

The first ten amendments to the Constitution guarantee so many of our rights and freedoms that we use every single day. Join us as we learn the story of the Bill of Rights, from the time of the Founders right up to today!

Headed to the White House

Online Resources

Here’s your chance to run for President!

Honoring Property Rights

Lesson Plans

High School, Middle School

Investigating the Departments of the Executive Branch

Lesson Plans

In this lesson, students learn about the role of bureaucracy in United States government; they then examine the history, leadership, organization, and goals of executive agencies.

High School, Middle School

It’s In Your Pocket

Lesson Plans

Elementary School

Liberty Medal Trading Cards

Lesson Plans

This lesson is designed to have students delve into the characteristics, accomplishments, and historical significance of Liberty Medal winners.

High School

Liberty!

Lesson Plans

Throughout the history of our nation the word “liberty” has been of significance. This lesson will ask students to explore the word: its meaning through symbols, its historical significance through the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution and other important primary sources from the Founding Era, and its application to our world today.

Middle School

Lincoln: The Constitution & the Civil War

Lesson Plans

Abraham Lincoln’s Crossroads is a classroom activity designed to support the National Constitution Center’s online game of the same name and the nationally touring exhibition “Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War.” The online game is intended for advanced middle- and high-school students. It invites them to learn about Lincoln’s leadership by exploring the political choices he made. An animated Lincoln introduces a situation, asks for advice, and prompts players to decide the issue for themselves before learning the actual outcome. Using this resource, students will work collaboratively to compile results and ultimately be assessed on their findings.

High School, Middle School

Living News

Lesson Plans

"Living News" is a unique, live theatrical performance at the National Constitution Center. The production is designed to introduce controversial constitutional issues and encourage students to ask questions about where they stand on these issues.

High School, Middle School

Magna Carta

Primary and Secondary Sources

English liberty charter decreed by King John.

Mayflower Compact

Primary and Secondary Sources

Agreement drafted by the settlers of the first New England colony.

NCC Scavenger Hunt

Lesson Plans

Whether visiting the National Constitution Center by yourself, as a student in a class, or with family and friends, this scavenger hunt is an easy way to explore our museum. Your hunt begins in “Freedom Rising,” the theater show that begins the visitor experience. To complete the hunt, you travel through The American Experience exhibit.

Elementary School, High School, Middle School

Perseverance and the First Amendment

Lesson Plans

High School, Middle School

Perspectives on the Constitution: A Republic, If You Can Keep It

Primary and Secondary Sources

by Richard R. Beeman Professor of History and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences University of Pennsylvania

Perspectives on the Constitution: Constitutions Around the World

Primary and Secondary Sources

by Kim Lane Scheppele Professor of Law, Political Science and Sociology, University of Pennsylvania

Perspectives on the Constitution: Understanding Our Constitution

Primary and Secondary Sources

by Akhil Reed Amar, Professor of Law Yale University Law School and Douglas W. Kmiec, Dean, Catholic University Law School

Picture Books and the Bill of Rights

Lesson Plans

Elementary School

Respecting Freedom of Speech

Lesson Plans

In the course of this lesson, students will consider the point where respect and freedom of expression intersect.

High School, Middle School

Securing the Blessings of Liberty

Lesson Plans

The purpose of this lesson is to explore the phrase “secure the Blessings of Liberty” from the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution through the Liberty Medal Ceremony and its recipient. Students will establish criterion to analyze the current winner and future candidates for the award.

High School, Middle School

Seize the Vote

Online Resources

An online voting rights game

High School, Middle School

State of the Union Bingo 2008

Lesson Plans

State of the Union Bingo is a tool designed to engage students in the president’s annual address to Congress. The lesson begins during the class prior to the address with the teacher providing background information about the State of the Union Address and examining the Constitutional requirement of the annual address. As a homework assignment, students are then each given a State of the Union Bingo card to use while watching the speech. The next class session, the cards are used as a discussion starter as well as a tool to analyze the president’s agenda for the coming year. This year, students can also create their own Bingo cards based on what they predict the president might say.

High School, Middle School

State of the Union Bingo 2012

Lesson Plans

High School, Middle School

The Centuries of Citizenship: A Constitutional Timeline

Online Resources

The Centuries of Citizenship: A Constitutional Timeline is an online experience highlighting some of the key dates and events that mark more than 200 years of our constitutional history. These timeline entries, taken as a whole, tell the evolving story of the U.S. Constitution and the continuing role that it plays in our lives.

High School, Middle School

The Constitution of the United States (HTML—En Espanol)

Primary and Secondary Sources

Spanish Language translation of the US Constitution

The Constitution of the United States (HTML)

Primary and Secondary Sources

Approved by delegates in 1787, ratified in 1788.

The Constitution of the United States (Original Image)

Primary and Secondary Sources

Photo of the original US Constituion

The Constitution of the United States (PDF—Other Languages)

Primary and Secondary Sources

PDF copies of the US Constitution translated into Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Simplified Chinese.

The Constitution of the United States (PDF)

Primary and Secondary Sources

The Constitution of the United States as a printable PDF file.

The Constitution of the United States: Fast Facts

Primary and Secondary Sources

Ten essential facts about the US Constitution

The Federalist Papers

Primary and Secondary Sources

A series of newspaper articles drafted by Alexander Hamilton along with collaborators John Jay and James Madison, urging ratification of the new Constitution.

The Founders’ Library: Thinking as a Founding Father

Lesson Plans

This lesson is designed to introduce students to the Constitution. It can be used as a one-day lesson to fulfill the Constitution Day requirement or as a means to begin a conversation about the framers of the Constitution. It has been carefully designed to highlight the three spheres of civic education as detailed by the National Constitution Center; that is, the lesson includes civic knowledge, active citizenship, and democratic deliberation.

High School

The Reconstruction Amendments

Primary and Secondary Sources

Ratified in 1865 (13th Amendment), 1868 (14th Amendment), 1870 (15th Amendment). Also known as the Civil War Amendments. Amendments abolished slavery and guaranteed equal protection of the laws and the right to vote.

The Virginia Declaration of Rights

Primary and Secondary Sources

Drafted by George Mason, this declaration of rights later became a model for other state constitutions and the Bill of Rights.

Thirteenth Amendment, Congressional Copy

Primary and Secondary Sources

This handwritten, Congressional Copy of the amendment that banned slavery is signed by President Lincoln, Vice-President Hamlin and over 150 members of Congress. This full color, two sided, 11"x17" mini-poster and discussion guide encourages students to examine this primary source and its impact on American society.

To Sign or Not to Sign: The Ultimate Constitution Day Lesson Plan

Lesson Plans

In this lesson, students work in groups to research selected events that characterized the civil rights movement and present their events to the class. After the program, they return to the classroom to read and discuss A More Perfect Union, the speech that Barack Obama delivered as a presidential candidate at the National Constitution Center in March 2008. They conclude the lesson by writing essays in response to one of the speech’s key ideas.

High School

War Making: Executive and Legislative Powers

Lesson Plans

Elementary School, High School, Middle School

What is Public Use?

Lesson Plans

High School, Middle School

Which Founder Are You?

Online Resources

Discover which Founder you’re most like!

Elementary School, High School, Middle School

Women of Power

Lesson Plans

This lesson, which includes a pre-lesson and post-lesson, is intended to be used in conjunction with the National Constitution Center’s Women of Power program. Together, they provide students with an overview of the contributions made by powerful women throughout United States history.

Elementary School, High School, Middle School

Word Puzzle: Brown v. Board of Education

Primary and Secondary Sources

Word Puzzle: Founding Fathers

Primary and Secondary Sources

Word Puzzle: Ratifying States

Primary and Secondary Sources

Word Puzzle: U.S. Constitution

Primary and Secondary Sources

Word Puzzle: Voting Rights

Primary and Secondary Sources