The Constitution might never have been ratified if the framers hadn't promised to add a Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments to the Constitution gave citizens more confidence in the new government and contain many of today's Americans' most valued freedoms.

Particularly applicable when teaching first semester government classes, discuss with students Constitution Day and the importance of recognizing and celebrating it. Have students read the article ÒWhy Celebrate Constitution DayÓ and have them answer the accompanying questions to better clarify their understanding of the writing of the Constitution and why the day of signing is celebrated. AB

The Constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. Under Americaâ"s first national government, the Articles of Confederation, the states acted together only for specific purposes. The Constitution united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people. Without it, the American Experiment might have ended as quickly as it had begun.

The Declaration of Independence states the principles on which our government, and our identity as Americans, are based. Unlike the other founding documents, the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, but it is powerful. Abraham Lincoln called it "a rebuke and a stumbling-block to tyranny and oppression." It continues to inspire people around the world to fight for freedom and equality.

Go to National Archives and search for the electoral college, if the link does not work, this Text/HTML has a ton of information on the electoral college as well as historical results. You can also see the actual ballots sent in by each state as well as all electors chosen by each party within a state. LW

Zoom in on digital copies of the original documents. Each includes classroom resources and lessons. Lesson idea: Assign groups one of the nine documents then have them give quick presentation about them--be sure each group highlights the importance of the document.

Overview of the 6 big ideas that animate the Constitution: limited government, republicanism, chdecks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, popular sovereignty