Activity
Read Works

Read Works: We the People

For Teachers 2nd
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Constitution of the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Unit Plan
Ducksters

Ducksters: Us Government for Kids: Constitution

For Students 3rd - 5th
Read about the history of the United States Constitution, then try the multiple-choice quiz. Includes an audio narration of the text and a link to a biography of James Madison, as well as links to other resources.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Ratifying the Constitution

For Students 5th - 8th
The delegates to the Constititional Convention produced a new governing document for the new United States. Read about how they determined to take the ratification process to the people of the states.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: State Constitutions

For Students 5th - 8th
The new states did a great deal of experimentation within the bounds of the new republican ideals. Read about three very different takes on how a state should be organized governmentally.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Growing Opposition

For Students 5th - 8th
George Washington's cabinet had strong personalities with often opposing opinions. Read about the differences between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson in regard to Hamilton's financial policies for the new country. See why these...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Election of 1860

For Students 5th - 8th
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was a watershed moment for the union of the country. Read about the political conventions, several candidates, and the votes that were split among them. Find a map that shows how the electoral...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Iroquois Tribes

For Students 5th - 8th
The Iroquois were a group of five tribes linked by their language and similar culture. Read about why the Iroquois were such a great example of the elevated role of women in the tribes, the complex lifestyle they had, and their political...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Unsettled Domestic Issues

For Students 5th - 8th
The new United States government faced many threats to its success. Read this overview of the possible problems.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Making Rules

For Students 5th - 8th
Follow the incremental process that the colonial leaders took over a ten-year period of time making new rules that would finally result in independence from Great Britain. See how many of them really didn't plan on independence, but that...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Societal Impacts of the American Revolution

For Students 5th - 8th
A look at how the ideals of the American Revolution shaped the new American Republic. Many ideals were not implemented immediately but the seed had been planted.
Handout
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Historic Valley Forge: Major General Alexander Hamilton

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biography of Alexander Hamilton containing information on his military service during the American Revolution as well as his later life in politics.
eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: John Dickinson

For Students 9th - 10th
A good biography of John Dickinson (1732-1808 CE). He was one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention from Delaware. He was a strong supporter of the new Constitution and as a result, Delaware became the first state to ratify...
Handout
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Richard Dobbs Spaight

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of this delegate from North Carolina to the Constitutional Convention. He was a strong federalist and helped with persuading North Carolina to endorse the new constitution. He later served as a Congressman.
eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: James Mc Henry

For Students 9th - 10th
A good biography of James McHenry (1753-1816 CE), a delegate from Maryland to the Constitutional Convention. He also served as an aide to General Washington and later as his Secretary of War.
eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: William Blount

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides good biographical details on the life of William Blount, one of the delegates from North Carolina to the Constitutional Convention.
eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Pierce Butler

For Students 9th - 10th
A biographical sketch of this delegate from South Carolina to the Constitutional Convention. He later served as a Senator.
eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: John Blair

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of John Blair, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Virginia. He later served as an associate justice on the Supreme Court.
eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Gunning Bedford, Jr.

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides good biographical details on Gunning Bedford, Jr. (1747-1812 CE). He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Delaware.
eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Jacob Broom

For Students 9th - 10th
A good biography of Jacob Broom (1752-1810 CE). HE was one of the delegates from Delaware to the Constitutional convention.
eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: George Read

For Students 9th - 10th
A good biography of George Read, one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention from Delaware. He also served as a governor of the state of Delaware.
eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Abraham Baldwin

For Students 9th - 10th
A nice biography of Abraham Baldwin, one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention from Georgia who later served both in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: William Few

For Students 9th - 10th
This article provides background biographical information on William Few, one of the delegates from Georgia to the Constitutional Convention, and who later served as a United States Senator.
eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer

For Students 9th - 10th
A short but detailed biography on this delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Maryland. He was a good friend of George Washington.
eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Daniel Carroll

For Students 9th - 10th
A short but good biography of this delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Maryland. He later served in Congress as a Representative from Maryland.