Lesson Plan
Center For Civic Education

Center for Civic Education: James Madison and Executive Power

For Teachers 10th - 12th
This lesson examines the legacy of the "philosopher statesman," James Madison. Madison combined the intellectual knowledge and creativity of the scholar with the practical savvy of the politician, a man of strong principles who also...
Article
Henry J. Sage

Sage American History: James Madison & the War of 1812

For Students 9th - 10th
Article on James Madison's presidency including comprehensive material on the War of 1812.
Primary
University of Groningen

American History: Presidents: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
Included are James Madison's two inaugural addresses, his State of the Nation speeches, as well as other writings related to the Constitution. Of particular interest is his speech of 1812.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: James Madison

For Students 3rd - 8th
Briefly chronicles the life of the fourth president, James Madison. Contains brief articles, portraits, and photos of documents from The Library of Congress' archives.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Presidents as Poets: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
An account of President James Madison's brief stint as a poet. Includes the text of his poem "A poem against the Tories".
Website
University of Virginia

University of Virginia Press: The Papers of James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
The papers of James Madison, plus a short biography, bibliography, and links to other sites. Site is detailed and comprehensive.
Website
A&E Television

History.com: American Presidents: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
This easy-to-navigate site has James Madison's biography, significant events in his life, an image gallery, and several video clips.
Handout
The White House

The White House: Presidents: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
The official White House biography of James Madison, the father of the constitution.
Article
University of Groningen

American History: Presidents: James Madison: Proposed Amendments to Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
Text of James Madison's "Proposed Amendments to the Constitution," June 8, 1789. Madison states his reasons for the amendments in view of the anti-federalist feelings in many of the colonies. The proposal explains in Madison's own words...
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Madison: Campaigns and Elections

For Students 9th - 10th
Scroll through this article to find an account of the election of 1812 in which James Madison was running as the first war president.
Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography of James Madison. Find out why James Madison was called the father of the constitution. Learn how his life affected the United States. (In Spanish)
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: u.s. Presidents James Madison

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Handout
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: The Presidents Biography: 4. James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography of the professional career of President James Madison. Discover details about the era during his presidency, domestic policy, foreign affairs, and presidential politics.
Handout
Other

Potus: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive facts about James Madison and his presidency. Includes biography, election results, cabinet members, odd facts, and notable events.
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia provides an extensive biography on the life of James Madison. Provides information about his life before and after the presidency as well as his policies on foreign and domestic...
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: James Madison (1751 1836)

For Students 9th - 10th
The oldest of 10 children and a scion of the planter aristocracy, Madison was born in 1751 at Port Conway, King George County, VA, while his mother was visiting her parents. In a few weeks she journeyed back with her newborn son to...
Website
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: Age of Jefferson and Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] After a brief description of Thomas Jefferson's and James Madison's contributions to the early ideology and government of the new United States in their authorship of the Declaration of Independence and...
Lesson Plan
Center For Civic Education

Center for Civic Education: Presidents' Day Lessons

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Presidents' Day lessons for Grades 10-12 on the constitutional legacies of George Washington, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan, and how they shaped the history and Constitution of our nation. Each lesson was written and...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: James Madison: From Father of the Constitution to President

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this Curriculum Unit, students will consider "James Madison: From Father of the Constitution to President" in 4 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: American Government James Madison

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage contains biographical information on "Father of the United States Constitution" and former United States President, James Madison. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece...
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
Facts, biography, and accomplishments of the life of James Madison and summaries of important events during his presidency.
Handout
Siteseen

Siteseen: Land of the Brave: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview and biographical facts on the life of James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution".
Graphic
Library of Congress

Loc: Portraits of the Presidents & First Ladies

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection from the Library of Congress of formal and informal portraits of the US presidents and their first ladies.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Biography of President James Madison for Kids

For Students 1st - 9th
Explore more about the life story of James Madison who was the 4th president of the United States on this site.