This book provides a historical perspective on the changing nature of the United States Constitution and the society it has shaped. Part I focuses on the eighteenth century with chapters on the origins, writing, and ratification of the Constitution. Activities are designed to help students think about the difficulties associated with the creation…

This digest discusses: (1) the main ideas contained in "The Federalist Papers"; (2) reasons for teaching "The Federalist Papers" in secondary schools; and (3) how to teach ideas of "The Federalist Papers." The authors of "The Federalist" held varying ideas about government, but strongly agreed on the…

The study guide, intended for adults wishing to obtain a General Educational Development (GED) certificate in Illinois, discusses the U.S. Constitution, the Illinois Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and rules for displaying the U.S. flag. The objective is to aid adults in passing the constitution component of the GED examination.…

Argues that teaching about the United States Constitution can stimulate thinking about key political issues and citizenship values. Offers a list of constitutional issues and questions which students and teachers should address. Concludes that continued study and discussion are essential to the preservation of the ideals contained in the…

Argues that the Northwest Ordinance should be emphasized more in U.S. government and U.S. history classes. Contends that the Northwest Ordinance is an innovative instrument of self government which students should study, and discusses the global aspects of using this document. Concludes the Northwest Ordinance and the U.S. Constitution are…

Argues that bicentennial celebrations of the U.S. Constitution should be focused on struggles throughout the life of the document rather than the "miracle" of its birth. Illustrates this point by reference to changes in the voting rights and citizenship of black citizens. (BSR)

Discusses the lack of common knowledge among today's students, illustrating the societal and political consequences of education which fails to provide all students with some basic, agreed-upon foundation of shared knowledge. States that the re-establishment of a common national vocabulary is possible, workable, and necessary for preserving the…

Presents a lesson plan which allows students to grapple with significant questions about the U.S. Constitution while they develop important critical thinking skills. Entitled "The Constitution, the Public, and Voting," the plan encourages skills such as evaluating generalizations, evaluating reasoning by analogy, and recognizing unstated…

Presents a lesson plan designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop and extend their conceptual understanding of the liberties found in the amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Outlines instructional procedures for a two class period presentation. (GEA)

The U. S. Constitution's treatment of women and blacks is generating heated controversy among historians, with some scholars charging that its framers ignored those groups and that subsequent reformers have gained too little for them, too late. (MSE)

Assesses Congress's role and development. Concludes that the Constitution's framers designed institutions well-matched to the Constitution's most fundamental purposes. If those purposes remain desirable, changes should be kept marginal. Some marginal changes are suggested. (PS)

Presents three lesson plans for an eleventh grade U.S. History course entitled: "Thomas Jefferson's Opinions of Negroes"; "Why Weren't Women Considered Part of the Body Politic?;" and "Blackstone's Understanding of King-in-Parliament as the Foundation of the British Constitution." Each lesson includes instructional…

Explains the relationship between politics, economics, and religion through the philosophies of Smith, Hobbes, and Locke. Maintains that the unamended Constitution is a reconciliation of politics, religion, and economics. Defends this claim by examining property rights and the Constitution's regard to means in pursuance of freedom and justice.…

Herbert Storing taught students at the University of Chicago about the Constitution by using a textual rather than the usual thematic basis. Students read, discussed, and analyzed the entire Constitution. This textual approach serves to undermine the dominant belief that the Constitution is only what the judges say it is. (RM)

During the Jim Crow era, separation of the races in public places was either required by law or permitted as a cultural norm. Public school systems across the U.S. south were typically segregated. After 1896, these schools were supposed to adhere to the separate but equal rule established by the U.S. Supreme Court in "Plessy v.…