A compilation of diverse lesson plans, project ideas, and resources for teaching the United States Constitution to junior high and senior high school students is presented. The document contains seven sections: (1) Teaching the Constitution: An Interdisciplinary Approach; (2) A Sampling of New Books on the Constitution; (3) Films and Videotapes;…

Designed for integration into secondary U.S. history courses, the activities provide a format for the examination of law-related themes and issues. Themes explored include the conflict between individual and societal needs, the relationship of the individual to state and federal authority, individual rights, the shifting balance of power among the…

This issue provides classroom activities, information on the U.S. Constitution and the Constitutional Convention, and a summary of materials available to teachers for instruction about the U.S. Constitution. Jean Fritz's book, "Shh! We're Writing the Constitution," is an example of the books on the annotated list of suggested readings.…

Stating that students should learn more about the U.S. Constitution than superficial details, Vile advocates the teaching of 12 basic constitutional principles that are essential to the nature and success of the U.S. government. These principles include the rule of law, individual rights, and the dangers of concentrated power. (GEA)

Discusses the changes in American thinking and tolerance between the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the writing of the Constitution. Concludes that the right to pursue happiness allows everyone to personally define happiness. The government that secures that right will leave people alone to do as they wish. (PS)

Questions whether the American constitutional order is capable of accommodating an equal citizenship for Blacks. Maintains that the inequality of condition that Black Americans endure is rooted in social as much as in legal practice. Improving the situation requires individual accountability on the part of Blacks. (PS)

Provides a two-to-four period lesson plan designed to help students in grades 7 through 12 explore the power of the U.S. President to use military forces. Based on the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and the legislation which it spurred, the lesson includes teaching procedures, discussion questions, and student readings. (JDH)

Efforts to strengthen instruction in U.S. history and government resulted in the development of "Lessons on the Constitution," a book containing 62 lessons for use with high school students. The curriculum development process used in writing the book is described, and the objectives, format, and content of the lessons are discussed. (RM)

Focusing on the history and principles of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, the high school text and teacher's guide are intended to be the basis of study for the competitive component of the "We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution" civic education program. The 40 lessons in the text are divided into 6 study units…

Presents a lesson in which students use primary sources to learn about the organizing strategies used in the fight for women's suffrage. These sources will provide insights into the past and help students develop appreciation for the hardships suffragists endured. Includes objectives, procedures, and suggestions for activities. (LS)

Uses the text of the Declaration of Sentiments, written at the 1848 women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. Familiarizes students with key personalities and organizations in the women's movement and illustrates the significance of the history of women's rights. Provides discussion questions and related activities. (LS)

Explores the content and history of the last three constitutional amendments: (1) presidential succession and disability (the Twenty-fifth amendment); (2) voting rights for young people (the Twenty-sixth amendment); and (3) congressional pay raises (the Twenty-seventh amendment). Includes questions for discussion. (CMK)

The phrase "excluding Indians not taxed" appears in both Article I and the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution. This essay examines the phrases "excluding Indians not taxed" and "subject to the jurisdiction" of sections 1 and 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment as they apply to Indians. This essay, through analysis…

This annotated bibliography represents selected references in political science with an emphasis on the U.S. political system, elections, the Presidency, and Congress. This is designed for use by undergraduate students to aid them in beginning research on various political science topics dealing with American politics and government. The majority…

Each issue in this bicentennial series features articles on selected U.S. Constitution topics, along with a section on primary documents and lesson plans or class activities. Issue 14 features: (1) "The Political Economy of the Constitution" (K. Dolbeare; L. Medcalf); (2) "A 'New Historical Whooper': Creating the Art of the…