The Constitution
Grade Level:
Grades 5-12
Language:
English
Format:
Presentation
Source:
INTRODUCTION
Judges in the Classroom
In this one-hour session, a judge visits the classroom to talk to students about their introduction to the U.S. Constitution. The lesson starts with the early challenges the Founding Fathers faced in the New World, then builds into an engaging overview of why the Constitution was created, how it works, and what its framers intended. It's a great starting point for students who are new to the topic. Students should be prepared by viewing the brief primer videos.
OBJECTIVES
Students will:
- Explain what the Constitution is, why it was created, and identify some of the people who wrote it.
- Describe how the Constitution divides and balances power — between the people and the government, between federal and state government, and among the three branches of government.
- Identify the three branches of government created by the Constitution, with an emphasis on the judicial branch.
- Explain what the Bill of Rights is and why the Constitution can still be amended today.
- Connect the rights and structure created by the Constitution to their own lives and to the judge's role in the judicial branch.
RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
In this one-hour session, a judge visits the classroom to talk to students about their introduction to the U.S. Constitution. The lesson starts with the early challenges the Founding Fathers faced in the New World, then builds into an engaging overview of why the Constitution was created, how it works, and what its framers intended. It's a great starting point for students who are new to the topic. Students should be prepared by viewing the brief primer videos.
For Middle School and High School