"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance." Change can be scary. Quite often people find themselves venturing down an unknown path, unsure of what twists and turns will come their way. This uncertainty brings about questions, anxiety, and for some, a sense of panic. Similar emotions…

Examines the readability of the U.S. Constitution. Reports that, of 117 undergraduate students who read the document, approximately 25 percent had difficulty completing a cloze procedure based upon it. Calls for further research on the high school and college levels. Suggests that the Constitution be presented in learning environments designed to…

Reflects on the author's experiences teaching a course on great documents in American history to high school students, concentrating on teaching the Declaration of Independence and the "Federalist Papers." Countering the students' tendencies toward superficial reading and encouraging deep analysis are the teacher's primary goals. (SLD)