The objective of this textbook review was to evaluate the textbook's capacity for imparting the knowledge and skills necessary for democratic citizenship along with an enthusiasm for civic participation. A panel of scholars reviewed 18 U.S. government and civics textbooks on the basis of: (1) coverage, (2) engagement, (3) constitutional themes,…

The first of these two booklets illustrates the presenting of an elementary class play about the U.S. Constitution. It can be used to give young children some basic information about the U.S. Constitution or as a guideline for presenting a program about the U.S. Constitution. The story provides important information about the Constitutional…

Presents a lesson on capital punishment for juveniles based on three hypothetical cases. The goal of the lesson is to have students understand the complexities of decisions regarding the death penalty for juveniles. (JDH)

Though the framers of the United States Constitution recognized the value of an independent judicial system, they knew that to provide justice the courts must have some accountability to the government. They knew that the system must be transparent to the public. Though the basic framework of checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution clearly…

Every year the Supreme Court hears dozens of cases related to key constitutional issues. These cases can be used to teach enduring concepts in government and law. With this lesson plan, students learn about important concepts in Fourth Amendment law and stage a mock Supreme Court oral argument in small groups on a case decided in the 1999-2000…

This lesson focuses on the post-Reconstruction South and the social practices based on race and skin color that hindered the South's growth as a region and relegated many people to the status of second-class citizens, in spite of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. The lesson provides historical background and outlines a task for students to…

Discusses the reasons why students do not see constitutional rights as applicable to their own lives. Focuses on the formal and informal curriculum of schools. Presents court cases for students to learn about the reasons why their rights must differ from adults. Describes how students can be included in making school rules. (CMK)

Describes teaching children about historical documents as a way of illustrating the reasons behind U.S. government. Explains that the course examines the U.S. Constitution, Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, and Bill of Rights. Argues that children have firm opinions about fairness and justice. Describes a project comparing U.S. government with that…

Designed to extend Law Day's impact, this program gives lawyers, judges, and other community leaders the opportunity to teach important lessons about the United States Constitution and the federal government. It is intended to stimulate opportunities for students to reflect on the country's constitutional heritage and gain appreciation for the…

The fourth in a special series of handbooks dealing with constitutional themes, this document looks at power in the context of the U.S. Constitution. "The Constitution's Prescription for Freedom" (L. Peach) examines the separation of powers provided for in the Constitution. "The Concept of Power" (C. Roach) is a series of…

This paper highlights trends in values education in public secondary schools, crucial issues in both religious and secular values education, and effective strategies for teaching values in formal and invisible curricula. A review of the history of values education in the public schools is accompanied by relevant research pertaining to the…

This resource package contains ideas for local projects to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the United States Constitution. The document includes a bicentennial chronology, a selection of general projects, educational projects, air and print media projects, and fine arts projects. Six appendices feature: (1) Bicentennial Chronology; (2)…

Americans traditionally have looked to the public schools to play a role in transmitting society's values to students, and on various occasions the U.S. Supreme Court has emphasized the role of the nation's schools in inculcating basic values. For many years Maine has had a statute mandating the teaching of virtue and morality and another that…

Given the role that initiatives and referenda have played in state and local governance, it is interesting that there has never been a national initiative or referendum in the United States. The reason for this is that the Constitution of the United States does not provide for direct citizen initiation of, or direct popular votes on, either…

Importance of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and the reported failure of the United States youth to have been genuinely educated about the Constitution raises questions regarding teaching. One concerns what teachers know about the Constitution and the other is what they believe about teaching. This study investigates these…