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Constitution Day
| • | Overview |
| • | The Constitution & Related Background Information |
| • | Teaching Resources |
| • | Related Resources |
| • | Contact Information |
Overview
Federal legislation passed in December 2004 requires educational agencies receiving federal funds to teach students about the U.S. Constitution on the anniversary of its signing on September 17, 1787. When this date falls on a weekend, as it does this year, Constitution Day will be observed during the preceding or following week. The San Diego School District will celebrate Constitution Day on Monday, September 18, 2006 to align district celebration activities with national events. All schools are expected to commemorate this day.
To support schools in teaching about this important event in American history, links to program options and resources are provided below.
The Constitution & Related Background Information
U.S. Constitution
| • | Summary of the Constitution  (Source: SDUSD Literacy Department) |
| • | ConstitutionFacts.com Includes full text of the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence, as well as "fascinating facts" and related background information. |
Bill of Rights
| • | Bill of Rights: Full Text (Source: ConstitutionFacts.com) |
| • | Summary of the Bill of Rights (Source: SDCS Literacy Department) |
Federal Convention of 1787
Teaching Resources
Lesson Plans & Activities
| • | Watch General Colin Powell lead the country in a coordinated, nationwide recitation of the Preamble to the United States Constitution on September 18. You may participate by viewing the live ceremony from www.consitutionday.com. |
| • | Text Resources (Source: SDUSD) |
| • | Constitution Day lesson plans (Source: National Constitution Center) |
| • | First Amendment learning resources (Source: James S. and James L. Knight Foundation) |
| • | Teaching with Documents: Observing Constitution Day (Source: The National Archives) |
| • | Links to grade level lesson plans and other resouces (Source: EDSITEment) |
| • | Foundations of Our Constitution (Source: Constitutional Rights Foundation) Lessons include a reading with discussion questions, an interactive activity, and the complete text of the related document. |
| • | Bill of Rights Lesson Plan (Source: Utah Education Network) Lesson plan for grades 8 and up that introduces and examines the Bill of Rights. By the end of this lesson, students will be able to define the Bill of Rights, be able to identify and explain each amendment, and understand why these amendments were included in the Constitution. |
| • | Teaching the Constitution (Source: USConstitution.net) |
| • | Constitutional Convention of 1787 (Source: ABC-CLIO) Activities, Videos and Reference materials for Teachers and Students. |
| • | Constitution Day Brochure (Source: Schools of California Online Resources for Education) Informative brochure that provides relevant links, activity ideas, and a summary of how Constitution Day became a national educational event. |
Whole-School Activity Ideas
| • | A public announcement, school bulletin, or facts about the Constitution can be read over the intercom, or read by classroom teachers at the beginning of the day. |
| • | A school reading of the Preamble can be supported by members of the community (e.g., military men or women). |
| • | A facsimile of the Constitution can be made available for students to sign at lunchtime. |
| • | Students can be invited to wear red, white and blue on Constitution Day. |
| • | All teachers can read an appropriate grade-level text dealing with some aspect of the Constitution at a designated time in the day. |
| • | Students can view a televised program, such as the national reading of the Preamble. Many such programs will be available to support Constitution Day |
Related Resources
Contact Information
| For help with... | Contact | Department |
| Teaching Resources | Donna Marriott dmarriott@sandi.net (619) 725-7253 |
Instruction & Curriculum |
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