Constitution Day Toolkit
Celebrating Constitution Day is fun and easy with our free online toolkit, which contains a wide range of resources for families and students of all ages. Put together a Constitution Day or Preamble Challenge activity at your school or home to celebrate the signing of the Constitution on September 17. What’s the Preamble Challenge? Come up with the most creative way to learn about the Preamble! We’re talking about raps, dances, skits, and more! Don’t forget to share videos and photos on Twitter with #renewcivics #preamblechallenge #constitutionday2020.
Freedom of Assembly: National Socialist Party v. Skokie
Annenberg Classroom has released a new, timely documentary for Constitution Day. The film explores the First Amendment right of the “people peaceably to assemble” through the lens of the U.S. Supreme Court case National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie. The legal fight between neo-Nazis and Holocaust survivors over a planned march in a predominantly Jewish community led to a ruling that said the neo-Nazis could not be banned from marching peacefully because of the content of their message.
For more resources from Annenberg Classroom, go here.
New Webinar Series: Power to the People
The Center for Civic Education announces a free webinar series, Power to the People, that launches on Constitution Day, September 17, and continues each Thursday for seven weeks. The webinars are designed for teachers and those interested in civics, government and U.S. history and in learning the different ways people participate in government. The series opens with a review of recent Supreme Court cases by U.S. District Judge Mae Avila D’Agostino and Center for Civic Education President Christopher R. Riano. Other topics will feature Native American sovereignty, the 19th Amendment and social movements, controversies surrounding monuments and flags, the criminal justice system, free speech, and voting rights.
For more resources from the Center for Civic Education, go here.
- Bill of Rights Institute: New free digital textbook, “Life, Liberty, & Pursuit of Happiness.” Learn more.
- Bill of Rights Institute: In-person seminars across the country this fall. Learn more.
- Constituting America: We the Future contest for teachers and students. Learn more.
- C-SPAN Classroom: Free Zoom sessions to explore its resources. Learn more.
- Florida Joint Center for Citizenship: Enrollment open for online PD series: The Civics Classroom. Learn more.
- Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History: EduHam Online, the free Hamilton Education Program, is now available. Learn more.
- National Archives: Check out a special DocsTeach page for National History Day. Learn more.
- National Archives: DocsTeach professional development webinars by request. Learn more.
- National Archives: Fall programs for K-12 students and educators in partnership with the Presidential Primary Sources Project. Learn more.
- National Constitution Center: Sign up for live interactive classes on the Constitution. Learn more.
- National Constitution Center: Apply to be a member of its Teacher Advisory Council. Learn more.
- National Constitution Center: Free, online teacher workshops available. Learn more.
- Street Law: New deliberations released on social emotional learning, compulsory voting, Electoral College, U.S. democracy, flag desecration. Learn more.