In fall 1970 several sections of a one-semester required U.S. history course (History 27: American History and Constitution) at Cerritos College (California) were combined into a joint lecture-discussion (JL) for 200 or more students. The opportunities for providing two lecturers stressing their topical specialties in group discussions seemed…

This educational research was conducted to determine what affective and cognitive effects two different teaching methods have upon a group of 10th grade students learning about the Constitution of America. Both the experimental class, taught by the simulation-game method, and the control group, taught by the lecture discussion method, were…

Suggests that the United States Constitution be taught as a product of its times which nonetheless has evolved over the past two centuries. Recommends that secondary school students be required to read the Constitution, with attention to its brevity and generality, and to relate the document to current political affairs. (DMM)

Teaching about the U.S. Constitution must enable students to appreciate the meaning of the U.S. system of government and civil liberties. Many methods beyond rote memorization are available to ensure that adults understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens. (SK)

Introducing this issue of lesson plans, the author states that teaching about the U.S. Constitution is a great challenge because students with varied reading levels and intellectual maturity must develop an understanding and appreciation of the complex philosophical and legal principles that underlie the whole of U.S. society. Recommends use of…

This paper contends that the issues of constitutional government debated during the founding of the United States should be in the core curriculum of any school that seeks to educate students to become responsible citizens of a constitutional democracy. For purposes of teaching students, the issues debated by founding-era political thinkers can be…

This digest discusses issues related to teaching about the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It begins by quoting the amendment that protects citizens of the United States against unreasonable searches and seizures, and goes on to discuss how the understanding and interpretation of the amendment have been influenced by historical events,…

Courses on the Constitution must focus on the principles of government. Those principles and how the understanding of those principles shaped the document are appropriate subjects for consideration. The best sources for an examination of the Constitution are "The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787" and "The Federalist."…

Designed to assist elementary school teachers, these materials present a series of lessons about the United States Constitution. Ten lesson plans and appropriate work sheets are included for grades K-3. The topics covered include the age of the Constitution, a constitutional convention, elected representatives, majority rule, voting, law making,…

Written by classroom teachers from around the country, this compilation of 28 lesson plans on the U.S. Constitution and related topics is adaptable to many grade levels. Lesson titles include "Exercise Your Constitution: Constitutional Olympics for the Classroom"; "ERA for Children"; "It's in Your Pocket" (minting of…

Teachers can create an interest in the founding period of U.S. history and present students with an authentic view of this time period through the presentation of this play. The dramatic pretense of the play is that the audience, by their presence, is part of the drama. The audience plays the part of travelers visiting a Philadelphia home in the…

Constitutional law is a good way to introduce students to fundamental debates over means and ends, over what means work and at what costs, and over what ends are not merely desirable, but may be legitimately achieved even through the application of collective force. It also offers an exciting way to teach logic. (MLW)

Presents a lesson plan which uses role playing to teach secondary students about sectionalism and its effects on a nation. Set during the Constitutional Convention, students, as participants, learn about the three main areas of conflict, the viewpoints of each section of the country, and the importance of compromise as they argue and defend their…

This teacher's guide introduces secondary students to the study of constitutional government in the United States. It is designed to provide students with an understanding of how the Constitution came into existence, why it took the form it did, and how it has functioned for the past 200 years. Through the 31 lessons of the text, organized into…

This digest discusses: (1) the main ideas contained in "The Federalist Papers"; (2) reasons for teaching "The Federalist Papers" in secondary schools; and (3) how to teach ideas of "The Federalist Papers." The authors of "The Federalist" held varying ideas about government, but strongly agreed on the…