Discusses the following five myths and suggests ways of using them to teach about the Constitution: (1) the Bill of Rights is the Constitution's heart; (2) reactionary commercial interests created the Constitution to maintain the status quo; (3) the structure is antidemocratic; (4) it sanctioned slavery; and (5) it made the legislature supreme.…

Uses five myths about the Constitution of the United States to help students better understand the basis for and the ratification of this important historical document. Among the myths included are the heart of the Constitution is the Bill of Rights and the Constitution was created by reactionary commercial interests to maintain the status quo.…

States that the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution, celebrated between 1987 and 1991, provides opportunities for the social studies curriculum. Discusses the need for increased knowledge of the Constitution and presents an approach to better understanding. (GEA)

Discusses the U.S. Constitution's endurance throughout the years and states that it must be taught so that all citizens will know the value of their participation in a democratic society. Advocates a "Celebration of the Constitution," teaching it with the respect and vigor it deserves on its 200th birthday. (GEA)

Introducing this issue of lesson plans, the author states that teaching about the U.S. Constitution is a great challenge because students with varied reading levels and intellectual maturity must develop an understanding and appreciation of the complex philosophical and legal principles that underlie the whole of U.S. society. Recommends use of…

Recommends Paul L. Murphy's 25-year-old article "Time to Reclaim: The Current Challenge of American Constitutional History" as a starting place for teachers interested in teaching about the history of the U.S. Constitution. Includes a three-page annotated bibliography of books on constitutional history. (BSR)

Assessing the historical writing inspired by the U.S. Constitution's Bicentennial, Murphy states that, although a popular audience has been reached, major historiographical breakthroughs and revisionist reconceptualizations have been disappointingly small, with the exception of Edmund Morgan's "Inventing the People." Examines the…

Proposes the adoption of a global constitution, similar to the U.S. Constitution, as a precondition for a peaceful planetary society. Explores the geographic roots of the U.S. Constitution and discusses the diffusion of federalism throughout the world. Advocates the teaching of global government theories in history, government, and geography…

Illustrates how the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution provides an opportunity to teach about the broader concept of constitutionalism through study of the state constitutions. Presents an argument for teaching about state constitutions, their role in the federal system, and the values they convey. (LS)

Based on an interview with U.S. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, this article surveys several of the projects launched by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the Constitution. These projects include: the National Historical Pictorial Map Contest; the Bicentennial School Recognition Program; the Bicentennial Educational Grant Program; and the…

Discusses the agenda of the five-year bicentennial celebration of the U.S. Constitution. Emphasizes the importance of teacher planning, education, and enthusiasm to the success of the program. Stresses the need for making students aware of the constitutional legacy of the United States. (GEA)

Says political writings such as "The Federalist" have generated multiple interpretations and the framers assumptions must be deduced. Provides a typology for such interpretations based on the terms, antidemocratic, liberal, republican, and constitutionalist. Recommends students be taught about the lack of consensus among scholars and key…

Reviews school curriculum treatment of the Constitution noting inadequacies of early instructional methods and textbooks and a dramatic decline of education about the Constitution which began during the progressive education era. Presents the results of surveys which indicate a lack of constitutional knowledge among our youth. Concludes with a…

Examines the life of James Madison, Founding Father and "theoretic statesman." Focuses specifically on Madison's education and character, his friendship with Thomas Jefferson, and his civic legacy: a selfless devotion to republican government and union. (JDH)

The debate among scholars on the historical and contemporary significance of the Founding period of the United States still continues and important questions still need to be addressed. The extent to which current judicial decisions should be governed by the intentions of the Framers, and whether contemporary historical approaches tend to…