This guide contains excerpts and annotation for four historical government documents: the Federal Bill of Rights, the United States Constitution, the current United States Supreme Court Justices, and the Bill of Rights from the Texas...

The Constitution was written in the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by delegates from 12 states, in order to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new form of government. It created a federal system with a national...

The Constitution spelled out the powers of the national government, but many Anti-federalists felt there should be equally explicit a guarantee of individual rights. Read about the compiliation of what became known as the Bill of Rights...

Test your knowledge of the Bill of Rights by playing the Bill of Rights golf game. As you correctly answer questions, you may fall into a trap, bogey, par, or get a hole in one! A scorecard and answers are provided. Also, included is a...

Short, overweight, and quick-tongued, John Adams hardly fits the model of the typical Founder. But Adams's contributions to American independence and the formation of the United States government were great. Adams penned defenses of...

George Mason's ideas helped to shape the Founding documents of the United States, but few Americans remember him today. The words he used when writing the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Constitution of 1776 inspired the...

This is a hands-on, inquiry project to create a 3-D graphic organizer for the research and study of the Bill of Rights. It may be a stand-alone activity or may be included as part of a unit of study on the Constitution. Students will...

Spurred by a case in Texas where a student felt her rights were compromised when she was denied entrance into the University of Texas, this lesson plan addresses college admissions' processes in the United States.

Discusses the origin of Constitution Day and the history of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Lists descriptions of the seven articles and twenty-seven amendments in the Constitution. Presents lesson suggestions from teachers and...

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...

Comprehensive overview of the U.S. Constitution. Places the Constitution in context with two other founding charters of American democracy and government, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Includes access to digital...

Play this game from iCivics that requires an understanding and application of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, and a few other amendments to argue and win cases the clients bring into the law firm. There...

An engaging online card game where students learn about the Bill of Rights by matching situations with the correct right. There are three levels of difficulty. Includes a short video for each of the first ten Amendments to the...

Primary source document includes handwritten drafts of what would become the first ammendment to the Constitution along with informational text and painting of a ca. 1890 colored engraving, "In the Reading Room of an 18th Century New...

Article and activity offering students problem-based learning by examining conflict, past and present, that call in to question our Constitutional Rights. Questions for writing and discussion as well as small group learning activity.

From its conception in the United States Constitution, to necessary adjustments in the 12th Amendment, students will understand the nomination process and role of political parties in establishing a president with the aid of this lesson.

A lesson plan addressing what happens when Congress passes a law or an act, but the law is unconstitutional.

Primary source document establishing a basis and foundation of early American government. This document, adopted in Virginia and drafted by George Mason and Patrick Henry, precedes the Congressional call for independence.

Identify the role of the debates between the Federalists and Antifederalists during the creation of the ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Six activities teach students about the U.S. Constitution. Learn about checks and balances, the Bill of Rights, some of the history of the document, and how each of the states became a state. The site also provides teacher resources,...

In this lesson, students examine and debate the issue of same sex marriage by studying background information, news articles, legal arguments and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. They then draft an amendment of their own to...

Explore the history of the United States Constitution: information about the writing the Constitution, the Great Compromise, the Constitution's signers, the Bill of Rights, the Amendments to the Constitution, federal powers, checks and...

This unit includes four lessons using primary sources to examine continuity and change in the governing of the United States. Lessons one and two are focused on a study of the Constitution and Bill of Rights and provide access to primary...

[Free Registration/Login Required] In this lesson students explore Amendments 1-10 and discuss the impact of events that led to the ratification of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Complete credit page of websites used to create...