You’ve taught the Constitution to the best of your ability. You look out at the faces of your students and they are blank. I feel your pain. Teaching the Constitution is hard, especially to younger students. The question is, “What kinds of Constitution activities will help them apply what they know and help them remember?”
Every year I teach the Constitution I want to try something new. It’s the hardest primary source I teach and I’m sure many of you feel the same. I WANT it to be meaningful. I WANT it to make sense. Let’s be honest, it’s a document from the 1700s. No matter how well constructed it is, it’s not going to ever compete with Snapchat or Tiktok.
So how do we get the Constitution to "stick" with students?
Activities that apply the Constitution are the answer. Students have to work with the parts of the Constitution and make meaning for themselves.
What are my favorite activities?
- After teaching the preamble I usually dive right into the arguments of the Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists. I love this quote throw down activity that allows students to apply their knowledge!
- Next, it’s time to tackle the 7 principles of the Constitution. I love these 3 activities. One (Picture match) is a non-threatening way to apply the definitions of each of the principles. This Task Card activity (which I post around the classroom) helps students APPLY their understanding of the 7 principles. Finally, this worksheet gives them the chance to apply the 7 principles to quotes and key phrases from the Constitution. These activities allow me to “ground” the learning going forward.
- After doing a general walk through of the articles (hitting the high points) – I like to sort the differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. This is a great formative assessment to see if students get the “BIG” ideas.
- Finally we learn our Bill of Rights using hand signals (there are a ton of videos on YouTube) and apply what they know with my friend Dawn’s Bill of Rights Scenarios activity.
What's next? It's time to review!
If you are new to Active History Teacher, then let me tell you . . . review activities are my thing! I always want review games and activities to be fun and engaging.
How do we review the Constitution?
- Bingo: This Bingo game reviews everything related to the Articles of Confederation and Constitution. Kids are competing, it’s fun and they are engaged in the content. Just add Jolly ranchers for the winners and you are golden!
- Jenga: Holy smokes. Have you played Jenga to review yet? You should. I love it because students are doing all the work. You just prep and go! All the work has been done for you! Check it out here.
Teaching the Constitution doesn’t have to be boring! If you let kids be kids and use fun activities, they will learn and remember! Want all these activities in one bundle? Check it out here.
