This lesson explores the challenges the United States faced as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and examines the governmentâ"s response through the lens of protection and civil liberties. Students will consider the balance between security and liberty in the United States.

This is an optional program for use by Utah LEAs, schools, and teachers to observe Founders Month and Consitution Day. It aligns with and supports mastery of many Utah Core Social Studies Standards in grade K-5. Standards alignment is provided, along with resources for possible use.

Students will investigate one of the amendments to the Constitution to find out how it was important for the time, how it protects citizens and how it applies to our current needs.Enduring Understanding:The U.S. Constitution reflects our national beliefs about people, rights, and government.

This webpage explains the basics of the U.S. Constitution at a lower elementary level. It includes the following sections: Basics, History, Bill of Rights, Making Changes, How It All Works. The page does have advertisements as well, so it is best used as a teacher resource.

Since 2005, the "Past and Present" podcast from Colonial Williamsburg has taken you behind the scenes to meet interpreters, chefs, tradesmen, musicians, historians, curators, and more. We offer two versions of our podcast: one that's audio-only and one that includes a slideshow. In this episode: Hear the Declaration of Independence read in its entirety by renowned Thomas Jefferson interpreter Bill Barker.

What would it be like to create a statue? Today you are going to be an artist creating a statue for the National Statuary Hall Collection!

With engaging activities related to locations in the Capitol as well as American history in general, Discover the U.S. Capitol is intended for upper-level elementary-school-aged students who can use it before or after they visit the Capitol.

Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History provides elementary lesson plans, student activity sheets and professional development for teachers centered on American History. This unit is focused on the US Constitution.

In this interactive game, students experience the decisions that have to be made by the President of the United States. Ever wanted to be President for a day? In Executive Command, you can be President for four years! Try to accomplish what you set as your agenda while facing the challenges and responsibilities that crop up along the way. Being commander-in-chief and chief executive is no easy job! See how you do!

In this lesson, students meet James Madison as he is working on the Bill of Rights and assist him in deciding the most important rights to include. Access to this resource requires a free educator login.

In this interactive game, students experience the decisions that have to be made by the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government. People's Pie is a balancing act! You must fund important programs without setting tax rates too high or borrowing too much money. To succeed, you must keep your residents happy and avoid a burdensome national debt. Are you ready for a piece of People’s Pie?

This unit is part of Gilder Lehrman’s series of Common Core State Standards–based teaching resources. These units were developed to enable students to understand, summarize, and analyze original texts of historical significance. Through a step-by-step process, students will acquire the skills to analyze any primary or secondary source material.

Since 2005, the "Past and Present" podcast from Colonial Williamsburg has taken you behind the scenes to meet interpreters, chefs, tradesmen, musicians, historians, curators, and more. We offer two versions of our podcast: one that's audio-only and one that includes a slideshow. In this episode: The piercing fife, the thundering drum: both can be heard over the din of battle, making them a crucial means of communication for commands like parley, cease fire, and retreat. How does this combination work?

In this lesson, students examine key events from the life of former President Barack Obama in order to understand the "stepping stones" that led him to become the first Black president of the United States. Access to this resource requires a free educator login.

The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the original purpose and powers of the Supreme Court according to the Constitution. Students will learn the Supreme Court’s role in preserving the U.S. Constitution and the balance of power it creates. In this lesson, students will learn about the powers of the Supreme Court according to the Constitution through a guided hidden message activity and vocabulary lesson. An extension activity links this understanding of the Court to the development of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison.

The coloring book pages below highlight aspects of Court history and tradition along with some of the notable artworks and architectural features of the interior and exterior of the Supreme Court Building. We hope you have fun coloring while learning about the Court!

Test your detection skills and learn about Chief Justice John Marshall. See if you can find 9 differences between Rembrandt Peale’s portrait of Chief Justice John Marshall and a modified version.

Lions are part of the decoration in the Great Hall. See if you can find 9 differences between two cartoons inspired by the carved marble lions in the Great Hall Frieze.

Recommended for grades K-4. Learn about and explore the Supreme Court Building with cartoon tortoise, Lex, as your guide.