Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Preparing for the Oath: u.s. History and Civics for Citizenship
This site from the National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian Institution, is a great site for citizens and those learning to become citizens alike. Review the fifteen themes that deal with U.S. history and civics,...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Writing in u.s. History: The Bill of Rights
Explore why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution and its enduring impact on defining our rights. In this interactive lesson from WGBH, students develop a written argument in response to the question "How does the Bill of...
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: Constitutional Government
Article outlining the events which ultimately led to the development and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The author explains the components of the Constitution and how those pieces were debated and agreed upon.
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: u.s. History Module: Did Founders Want Government to Work? [Pdf]
A comprehensive learning module on the system of government established by the founders that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and primary source materials, followed by a summative performance task....
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Flag Picture Gallery
This is a collection of American flags in color with a description of their reason for existence. Very appealing site.
Read Works
Read Works: Passages: The u.s. Constitution
[Free Registration/Login Required] This is the Constitution of the United States; a vocabulary worksheet is provided for the words "favor" and "right."
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Ben's Ab Cs
Each letter of this alphabet is linked to an important aspect of the U.S. Government, e.g. "A is for Armed Forces" has a link to the Air Force. Links are made to the Bill of Rights, symbols, branches of government and The Constitution....
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Women's Suffrage at Last
Trace the history of the women's suffrage movement from its organized beginnings in 1848 with the Seneca Falls Convention to the final success with the adoption of the 19th Amendment, which constitutionally granted women the right vote.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The South Carolina Nullification Controversy
The nullification controversy began as an economic dispute between north and south. See how the question about tariffs resulted in a states' rights issue in South Carolina. Read about what President Andrew Jackson was going to do about...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Westward Expansion: The Louisiana Purchase
Read about the fortuitous purchase made that doubled the size of the United States. See why Napoleon was willing to sell the land, and find out about the quandary Thomas Jefferson was in as he had to go against his strict construction...
Other
Uss Constitution Museum: Uss Constitution's History
Imagine a boat still existing today from 1797 that actually fought in the War of 1812! That's the USS Constitution that is now a museum in Boston Harbor. Here's a bit about Old Ironsides and what it was like to be "at sea" back in those...
Library of Congress
Loc: Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: The Making of the u.s. Constitution
The introduction to the first volume of the Annals of Congress, in which there is a short history of the creation of the Constitution, and the text of the Constitution as it was first written.
Library of Congress
Loc: Constitution
Collection of primary resources having to do with the constitution throughout American history.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: "Out of Doors": Ratification Debate in Public Press
Find details of the Federalists and Antifederalists views of the proposed U.S. Constitution. Peruse the activists and legacies representing both sides of the debates.
Other
American Civil Liberties Union: Constitution Day Activities
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,...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Sixteenth Amendment
This resource provides a detailed overview of the 16th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Content includes a focus on income tax, the history and purpose of the amendment, and the incomes subject to taxation.
Read Works
Read Works: Our Constitution
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text giving facts about the Constitution of the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: George Washington: The First Administration
Read about George Washington's presidency. See why his role was so important in setting precedents to be followed by future chief executives. Find out about some of the warts in his personality too, all of which made him more human.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Rights of Citizens: The Bill of Rights (Grades 6 8)
Ben's Guide is a fun way to present US laws to students grades K-12. This site presents a brief history of the Bill of Rights. Links to related sites are available.
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: Articles of Confederation vs. the u.s. Constitution
Fourth graders will be introduced to the primary documents of the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution. They will figure out the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and compare them to the US Constitution. Students...
Digital History
Digital History: The u.s., Cuba, and the Platt Amendment [Pdf]
After the SpanishAmerican War the American occupation of Cuba and the adoption of the Platt Amendment, which was forced upon the Cuban government when it formed its constitution, showed the signs of imperialism on the part of the United...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Creating the Us Constitution
A collection which uses primary sources to explore the creation of the US Constitution.
Digital History
Digital History: Constitutional Quiz
See the questions about the Constitution that have been asked in recent polls.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Bill of Rights Introduction
What is the Bill of Rights? Why were they created? Find out the purpose of these ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution and how they work to protect the citizens in the U.S.