This lesson introduces students to different viewpoints and debates surrounding the 2nd Amendment by using the National Constitution Center’s Interactive Constitution. Students will build understanding of the resources and methods used by justices on the Supreme Court and Constitutional scholars when analyzing and forming opinions about articles, sections, and clauses of the Constitution.
The 2019 Civic Calendar from the National Constitution Center not only highlights civic holidays throughout the year, but will also focus on historical events dealing with the First Amendment.
This two-day lesson uses historical quotations to help students develop understandings of conceptions of the Rule of Law, then, through small group work and class-wide collaboration analyzing Supreme Court cases, students will reflect on how their understandings of Rule of Law relate to the Constitution, the judicial system, and their daily lives.
This lesson encourages students to examine their own assumptions and to deepen their understanding of current accepted interpretations of speech rights under the First Amendment.
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 14th Amendment, the Center's 2018 calendar explores its history and legacy.
As you read, interpret, and cite the documents in the Interactive Constitution, it is important to think about how the Constitution expands or limits the power of government. This is how Constitutional Scholars read, interpret, and cite the Constitution. But how can you do this? Here are some tips to help.
Using video clips from the Landmark Supreme Court Cases series, a partnership between C-SPAN and the National Constitution Center, students will investigate the Supreme Court's interpretation of the 14th Amendment in the years after its ratification.
Using video clips from the Landmark Supreme Court Cases series, a partnership between C-SPAN and the National Constitution Center, students will research and role-play to better understand the legal, social, and economic factors relating to--and implications of--the majority and dissenting opinions in this infamous case.
The 2017 calendar explores turning points in American history with fifteen landmark Supreme Court cases.
This lesson builds student understanding of the relationships between the United States’ founding documents by comparing and contrasting the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
Students will investigate the legal language defining their freedom of speech rights
This lesson takes a closer look at the history of Memorial Day by examining World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War and their connections to this civic holiday.
This lesson encourages students to take a closer look at the American flag and its meaning.
We the School is an innovative new form of student government created at Constitution High School in Philadelphia.
Students learn about the specific rights and freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights, one of our nation's most important documents.
Students will deepen their appreciation of war art through watching and listening to veteran war experiences.
This lesson shows students firsthand how the three branches of government work together through separation of powers and checks and balances.
In this lesson, students will analyze the political and constitutional issues that faced President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
On Constitution Day, students will examine the role of the people in shaping the U.S. Constitution.
Students will get a look at how African-American individuals have broken barriers to racial integration in the United States.
Students will examine the ideas that the Founding Fathers brought to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and use them to analyze the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Learn more about the signers of the Constitution with these Founding Fathers biographies.
In this lesson, students will consider how respect and freedom of expression intersect and their role in maintaining a free society.
In this lesson, students will analyze how people throughout history have exercised their First Amendment rights to express their opinions.
In this lesson, students will examine the constitutional, legal, political, and historical sources of the continuing debate over war powers.
In this lesson, students learn about the role of bureaucracy in U.S. government.
These Classroom Teaching Materials are designed to be used in conjunction with the Living News theatrical performance at the National Constitution Center or stand alone.
This lesson is designed to be used in conjunction with the Living News theatrical performance at the National Constitution Center.
Explore our new 15-unit core curriculum with educational videos, primary texts, and more.
Search and browse videos, podcasts, and blog posts on constitutional topics.
Discover primary texts and historical documents that span American history and have shaped the American constitutional tradition.