2. Standard:
SS.2.C.3.1- Identify the Constitution as the document which
establishes the structure, function, powers, and limits of
American government.
Learning Goal:
Students will be able to identify the Constitution as the
document which establishes the structure, function, powers
and limits of the American government.
Essential Question:
What is the Constitution?
What are rights?
3. Think about our essential question…
Find your level of understanding:
“I have never heard of the Constitution and I do not know what Rights are.”
“I have heard these words before but don’t know what they mean.”
“I know what the Constitution is and can describe a Right and name one
that is in the Constitution.”
“I can describe the Constitution, its purpose and how it was written. I know
what a right is and can name two that are in the Constitution. I can also teach
a buddy about this. ”
4. Bianca yawned a big yawn and plunked her head onto
her desk. Social Studies Class is SOOO boring she thought. Her
eyes sealed shut and she took a deep breath. Suddenly she
hear the clomp-clomp of horse feet and realized she was no
longer at her desk but standing. She wasn’t alone. There was
someone, or something, standing next to her.
5. She looked down to see a funny looking creature made of
parchment paper.
“Who are you?” she exclaimed.
“I am the Constitution,” the creature replied.
“What is that?” Bianca wondered.
“I am the document, or important paper, that sets up the
rules and laws for the United States of America. I am very
special!”
“Okay… where are we?” Bianca asked.
“We are in Philadelphia! The year is 1787!”
Pull out your atlas and find Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania on your United States map
Use your mental math to figure out about how long ago 1787 was.
6. “I brought you
here, to
Independence
Hall, to show you
how important
and fun it is to
study our country.
Let’s take a peak
inside to see what
is going on”
Independence Hall is old but not as old as some of the buildings we have in St. Augustine.
Compare and contrast how it looks and what it is made of to some of our structures like the
Castillo de San Marcos.
7. “It has been a long, hot
summer,” The Constitution
continued.
“I can’t imagine wearing
those outfits without any
air-conditioning!” Bianca
noticed.
What do you notice about the people in this room? Who is being left out of the conversatioN?
How does that make you feel? How have times changed since 1787?
“Yes! There has been lots of arguing over me and what to write
down to create rules for the United States government. These
people writing me are called Framers. You may recognize some of
them.”
“I see Benjamin Franklin and George Washington!”
8. “One of the biggest things they
decided to do was to create a
president of the United
States, Congress, and the
Supreme Court. They divided up
power so not one part could be
too powerful”
“I can see why they would do that after being under the control of
the King of England!” Bianca said.
“Great connection! Now let’s learn about the different parts of me.”
What are some of our classroom and school rules? Do you feel like we share
power and responsibilities here at school?
9. “The first part of me is called the Preamble”
“Ah! I know ‘pre’ means before so that makes
sense!” Bianca said.
“Another good connection! The Preamble is the
first part and that tells why they wrote me. You
might enjoy this fun song to hear and learn the
Preamble. It is easy and fun to memorize!
The next part sets up the government, like we
just talked about and finally there is the Bill of
Rights and the other amendments.”
“You have many parts!” Bianca observed.
10. “The Framers realized that they did not add all the Rights—”
“Not the opposite of left?” Bianca asked.
“No, silly! Rights are things that all people should have, like
how you have the right to go to school
and feel safe there. It is special that our country
made a list of rights and protects them. The Framers made sure
that things could be added to me. These are called
amendments. The first ten amendments
to me are called the Bill of Rights. “
“What do they say?” Bianca wondered.
“They say many things that you will be learning about this week
in class. They say you are allowed to go to any church you
want, gather in groups with your friends, read and write in
newspapers, and think for yourself. ”
11. “What do some of the other amendments say?”
Bianca asked.
“I wasn’t written perfectly the first time around so
many other important things had to be added to me
later. Three of those included getting rid of
slavery, giving black men the right to vote and giving
all women the right to vote.”
“Wow! Those sure are important. I am glad they
were amended to you.”
“Yes! It is still possible to add amendments to me. If
you feel like I am missing an important right then you
very well could fight for an amendment one day!”
What would you add to the Constitution?
12. “Well Bianca, it is time for us to travel back to 2013 and for you
to go back to class.”
“Thank you, Constitution, for such a fun day learning about you!
I can’t wait to tell all my friends about our time together!”
The End
13. Think about our essential question…
Find your level of understanding:
“I have never heard of the Constitution and I do not know what Rights are.”
“I have heard these words before but don’t know what they mean.”
“I know what the Constitution is and can describe a Right and name one
that is in the Constitution.”
“I can describe the Constitution, its purpose and how it was written. I know
what a right is and can name two that are in the Constitution. I can also teach
a buddy about this. ”
14. Key Vocabulary
• Constitution
• Preamble
• document
• amendment
• rights
• Framers of the Constitution
• independence
Places to Know
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Independence Hall
