Lesson Planet
EdTech Tuesday: Constitution and Federalist Papers
Discover an app that will allow you and your class to delve into key primary source documents of United States history: the Constitution and the Federalist Papers. The presenters in this video offer a breakdown of the app's primary...
HISTORY Channel
The 19th Amendment | History
An engaging video provides scholars with how the 19th Amendment came to be. Beginning with the Declaration of Sentiments signed at the Women's Rights Convention in 1848, viewers meet major contributors to the movement and take in the...
PBS
Should We Make Voting Mandatory? | America From Scratch
The question in this episode of the PBS series "America From Scratch" series is whether voting in the United States should be mandatory. After listening to varying points of view on the question, viewers are asked to cast their own vote...
PBS
Should It Be Illegal for Facebook to Sell Your Data? | America From Scratch
"Surveillance Capitalism" refers to practice companies like Facebook and Google use to collect and sell users' information. A short video from PBS reveals how that business model works and then asks viewers to consider whether that...
PBS
Should We Rewrite Our Constitution? | America From Scratch
An episode from the PBS "America From Scratch" series asks the question of whether or not the United States Constitution should be rewritten. Legal experts from around the world weigh in on the very weighty question. The video ends with...
PBS
What if There Were No States? | America From Scratch
Imagine there's no state borders, no California, no Pennsylvania, no Florida. This might be easy to imagine but very hard to do. A short PBS video asks the question, discusses the challenges, and suggests some alternatives to states that...
PBS
Should Supreme Court Justices Be Elected by the People? | America From Scratch
Politicians in robes! While judges in the United States can be appointed by an elected official or directly elected by the people. Supreme Court justices, however, are appointed by the President. But should they be? That is the question...
PBS
Should the U.S. Require Half Its Government to Be Female? | America From Scratch
If you had the opportunity to change the format of the United States government, what changes would you make? That is the question asked by PBS's "America From Scratch" series. Would you require that half of the government be female?...
National Constitution Center
Fourth Amendment And Privacy
The Fourth Amendment protects from unreasonable search and seizures, but it is not all encompassing. The resource give academics a good overview of the rights protected in the Fourth Amendment and why it was important to protect those...
National Constitution Center
First Amendment Religion Part II
The Freedom of Religion video dives into the meaning of the Free Exercise Clause. Scholars learn how the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause work together to allow religious liberty and prevent the government from favoring...
National Constitution Center
First Amendment Religion Part I
An informative resource shares background information on the importance of protecting religious freedom. Individuals learn how some American colonies forced religion upon people, giving rise to the desire to worship freely without...
National Constitution Center
First Amendment Speech and Press Part II
It's hard to overstate the importance of protecting speech and freedom of the press. Scholars learn how free speech is an important part of an individual's natural rights and a way to form opinions. The video also discusses ways the...
National Constitution Center
First Amendment Speech and Press Part I
The First Amendment does not always protect free speech. An informative video focuses on how the government has interpreted free speech over the years and efforts like the Sedition Act to limit free speech. Academics learn how our...
National Constitution Center
First Amendment Overview Part II
The First Amendment Overview video delves into examples of citizen's rights. Young academics learn how First Amendment rights have been protected in real-life examples. The video also explains that the rights laid out in the Amendment...
National Constitution Center
First Amendment Overview Part I
The Declaration of Independence details the natural rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. The video explains these rights, including freedom of speech and non-violent protest. Scholars learn why specific rights were guaranteed and...
C-SPAN
Bell Ringer: Powers of Congress Examples
A short bell ringer introduces middle schoolers to the powers and duties of the United States congress. The three clips show congress's role in confirming presidential nominees, in declaring war, and in overseeing legislation
C-SPAN
On This Day: 26th Amendment is passed by Congress
The Twenty-sixth Amendment greatly altered voting rights in the United States. Engaging video clips explain why the amendment was created and how it has impacted voter turnout over the years.
C-SPAN
On This Day: Constitution Day
Constitution Day celebrates the evolving principles that guide our nation from 1789 all the way to today. The resource celebrates Constitution Day with an overview of the principles and laws that guide the government. Scholars see events...
C-SPAN
On This Day: The Ratification of The Bill of Rights
The cherished rights included in the first ten amendments to the Constitution almost didn't happen! Pupils tour via video a National Archives exhibit on the Bill of Rights, as well as listen to how a modern judge applies them. Once...
National Constitution Center
The Fourteenth Amendment
What does equal protection under the law mean? This right is given to Americans thanks to the Fourteenth Amendment, although historical events and Supreme Court cases have led to its refinement over the years. A video resource traces the...
National Constitution Center
Federalism
Federalism divides power to protect individual rights while giving the government enough power to be effective. The concept comes from a balance the Founding Fathers struck between authority and freedom. Scholars explore the relationship...
National Constitution Center
The Constitutional Convention
The Founding Fathers are larger than life in history books, but an engaging video resource brings them up close to your pupils. As viewers meet the founders in the National Constitution Center's Signers' Hall, they learn about the...
National Constitution Center
Convention, Ratification, and Amendment Process
While the Revolution is perhaps the most famous revolt in American history, do scholars know about Shays' Rebellion? The outcome of the uprising led to the current Constitution. A video resource traces the history of and how the Bill of...
National Constitution Center
The Bill of Rights (Second Edition)
Protecting basic liberties was at the heart of the American Revolution. However, it wasn't until after the Constitutional Convention that the Founding Fathers added a list of rights guaranteed to the people, now our most important legal...