This handbook assists teachers, administrators, and other members of the educational community in avoiding inappropriate religious activities in the public schools as well as unnecessary interference with legitimate private religious expression by clarifying existing law. Participants in the Task Force on Religion and the Constitution represented…

This book summarizes itself as "A collection of excerpts from children's literature on themes related to the United States Constitution scripted in Readers Theatre format for elementary school students." It is based upon the belief that an integrated curriculum that correlates content and skills is most appropriate at the elementary…

This book of essays connects controversies over rights and liberties today to their historical antecedents while explaining how social, political, and cultural changes have influenced understandings of specific provisions of the Bill of Rights. Written for teachers using a collaborative effort, each essay is accompanied by bibliographic…

Students should achieve a higher level of understanding and appreciation of the evolving nature of the U.S. Constitution and its relevance to contemporary societal issues by studying historical documents from the period of time between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. This document begins with a history of that period and of the…

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…

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)

Presents a speech which discusses private funding for government operations, secret policies, and the doctrine of plausible denial. States that the Iran-Contra affair illustrates the failure of the educational system to educate patriotic, intelligent persons in the nation's most fundamental constitutional arrangements, such as the appropriations…

Assesses the role that constitutional studies play in law-related education (LRE) and the impact that the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution has had on LRE. Includes a brief analysis of how the Constitution was taught in civics classes prior to the reforms of the progressive education era of the early 1900s. (JDH)

Although it was not directly named in the U.S. Constitution, federalism is a central principle of U.S. government. It is important for students to learn about federalism to comprehend the U.S. federal system and recognize examples of federalism in other countries. Teaching and learning about federalism is essential to education for citizenship in…

The "We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution" program is an instructional program on the history and principles of U.S. constitutional democracy for elementary, middle school, and high school students. At the high school level, classes may choose to enter a formal competition, advancing from congressional district and state…