Brief & Fun Online Class Activities:
Library of Congress resources posted 2016
Library of Congress resources posted 2015
Which Founder Are You? Take this brief quiz to determine which U.S. Founder you are most like.
Lincoln’s Crossroads: What would you have done in Lincoln’s position?
Bill of Rights game: The Official National Computer has crashed. Your mission: Rebuild the document by finding the missing rights and freedoms in Freeville.
What’s Your Constitution IQ?
Which Founding Father Would You Vote For?
Constitution Game
Interview Ben Franklin
Lesson Plans
The National Constitutional Center: Several excellent lessons plans ranging from historical to current events that involve the U.S. Constitution
Center for Civic Education: Lesson plans for all ages, including high school. (Some of the elementary lesson plans can are very good and can easily be adapted for high school students.)
Lesson plans from Thinkfinity’s Edsitement: Content-approved Featured Lesson Plans run along the left side of your screen.
Civics and Government lesson plans from the Library of Congress
“Constitution Primary Source Set” from the Library of Congress. Includes Teacher’s Guide.
General Websites
Constitution Day: Celebrate the Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
Sunnylands Constitution Project (includes short videos)
National Constitutional Center
Print & DVD/Video Resources in the NHS Library* Primary Sources
Locke, John. (1988). Two Treatises of Government. New York: Cambridge University Press. Presents John Locke’s seventeenth-century classic work on political and social theory; and includes a history of the text, as well as notes and a bibliography. 320 LOC
Montesquieu, Charles de Secondat, baron de (2002). The Spirit of Laws. Amherst, NY: Prometheus. Eighteenth Century French philosopher Charles-Louis de Secondat explores the essential components of good government. 320 MON
Political Cartoons for Civics, Government, and Economics. (2002). Austin, TX: Holt Rinehart and Winston. Presents eighteen political cartoons on topics from throughout history, each accompanies by several study questions, an activity, and discussion guide. 320.4 POL
Drew, Katherine. (2004). Magna Carta. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Presents and examination of the Magna Cart, an agreement negotiated in 1215 between King John of England and his barons after the barons revolted in protest against increasing demands from the crown for money and services, and includes biographies of significant people, and selections from primary documents. 342.4202 DRE
The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, Being a Collection of Essays Written in Support of the Constitution Agreed Upon September 17, 1787, by the Federal Convention. (1941). New York: The Modern Library. 342.73 HAM
Maurer, Robert. The Constitution of the United States. (1941). Boston: D.C. Heath & Company. 342.73 MAU
Moehn, Heather. (2003). The U.S. Constitution: A Primary Source Investigation Into the Fundamental Law of the United States. New York: Rosen Primary Source. A historical review of the people, issues, and events that led to the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution. 342.73 MOE
St. John, Jeffrey. A Child of Fortune: A Correspondent’s Report on the Ratification of the U.S. Constitution and the Battle for a Bill of Rights. (1990). Ottawa, IL: Jameson Books. 342.73 STJ
Tocqueville, Alexis de. (1987). Democracy in America : v. I and II. New York: Knopf. Based partly on the author’s observations of American political and social conditions during a visit in 1831-1832. 973 TOQ
Civil Liberties
Basum, Ann. (2006). Freedom Riders: John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement. Washington, D.C. : National Geographic. Recounts the freedom ride of John Lewis and Jim Zwerg into the South in 1961 as part of the Civil Rights Movement. 323 BAU
Civil Liberties: Opposing Viewpoints. (1994). San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. Presents opposing viewpoints on issues relating to civil liberaties, including privacy, freedom of the press, and censorship. 323 CIV
Corbin, Carole Lynn. (1985). The Right to Vote. New York: F. Watts. Documents history of the right to vote in America, from colonial times to the present, including the struggles of blacks, women, and those under twenty-one to win that right. 324.6 COR
Fradin, Judith Bloom. (2006). Jane Addams: Champion of Democracy. New York: Clarion Books. Presents a biography of Jane Addams, suffragist, civil rights activist, and founder of the Hull House in the slums of Chicago that draws from hundreds of historical documents; and contains archival photographs of her life and activities. B ADD
Lang, Susan S. Censorship. (1993). New York: F. Watts. Discusses opposing viewpoints in the ongoing debate over placing limits on television and radio broadcasts, news reporting, school curricula, and public speaking. 363 LAN
Mayer, Robert H. (2008). When the Children Marched: The Birmingham Civil Rights Movement. Berkeley Heights, NJ : Enslow Publishers. Chronicoles the civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama, the leaders of the movement, and how the children helped in the fight to end segregation in the South. 323.1196 MAY
St. John, Jeffrey. Forge of the Union, Anvil of Liberty: A Correspondent’s Report on the First Federal Elections, the First Federal Congress, and the Bill of Rights. Ottawa, IL: Jameson Books. 973.4 STJ
Truly, Traci. (2005). Teen Rights (and Responsibilities): A Legal Guide for Teens and the Adults In Their Lives. Naperville, IL: Sphinx Pub. Presents a guide to the legal rights and responsibilities of children and teenagers, at school, work, and home, including information on drugs abuse, discrimination, dress codes, curfews, child labor, marriage, and more. Includes a list of agencies and organizations for further research.346.7301 TRU
Whitney, Sharon. The Equal Rights Amendment: The History and the Movement. (1984). New York: F. Watts. Examines the ERA movement, its criticisms, and its ultimate defeat in Congress. 342.73 WHI
Zerman, Melvyn Bernard. Taking on the Press: Constitutional Rights in Conflict. (1986). New York: Crowell. The conflict between the first amendment rights of the press and the rights of individuals and the government is explored through actual, well-known cases. 342.73 ZER
DVD/Video Resources
12 Angry Men. (1990). MGM/UA Home Video. Courtroom drama revolving around the trial accused of killing his father. One man stands between him and capital punishment. VID ENG 791.4 TWE
Branches of Government: The Executive Branch. (1982). Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society. Studies the decisions of powers in the federal government and looks at the designation of responsibilities within each branch. VID SS 320.4 EXE
Branches of Government: The Judicial Branch. (1982). Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society. Studies the decisions of powers in the federal government and looks at the designation of responsibilities within each branch. VID SS 320.4 JUD
Branches of Government: The Legislative Branch. (1982). Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society. Studies the decisions of powers in the federal government and looks at the designation of responsibilities within each branch. VID SS 320.4 LEG
Citizen Stories: Democracy and Responsibility in American Life. (1991). Alexandria, VA: Close Up Foundation. Democracy demands participation of its citizens. We need to be active players in the affairs of our nation. This tape presents stories of five individuals who become involved in government. They are living examples of what committed people can do in a community. VID SS 323.4 CIT
Key Constitutional Concepts. (2006). PJ Productions. These three 20-minute videos examines key constitutional concepts. The first explains why the nation’s framers created the Constitution. The second describes the protection of individual rights by highlighting the Supreme Court case of Gideon v. Wainwright, affirming the right to an attorney. The last explores the separation of powers by examining the Supreme Court case of Youngstown v. Sawyer; a challenge to President Truman’s decision to take over steel mills during the Korean War.DVD SS 342 KEY
King, Martin Luther Jr. Martin Luther King: I Have a Dream. (1986). Oak Forest, IL: Maljack Productions, Inc. when 200,000 civil rights marchers gathered at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in August 1963, they expected to hear strong words form their spiritual leader, Martin Luther King. What they did not expect was a speech of such heartfelt passion and poetic eloquence that it echoes still in our memory. VID SS 323.4 MAR
Mr. Chief Justice. (1992). Richmond, VA. Reenacts a “lawyers dinner” given by John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. He served in this position for 34 years, 1801-1835, and molded a weak, ineffective Supreme Court into the final arbiter of the Constitution. VID SS 347.73 MIS
Our Constitution: A Conversation. (2005). Kunhardt Productions. A conversation about the U.S. Constitution featuring former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and Stephen G. Breyer. DVD SS 342 OUR
Patrick Henry: Virginia Patriot. (1989). Brookneal, VA. Using reenactments recorded at historical sites in Virginia, the video portrays the life of Patrick Henry. VID SS 973.3 PAT
*Historical fiction titles relating to the Constitution and civil liberties are available. Please ask Mr. Sparks for recommendations.
Library of Congress resources posted 2016
Library of Congress resources posted 2015
Which Founder Are You? Take this brief quiz to determine which U.S. Founder you are most like.
Lincoln’s Crossroads: What would you have done in Lincoln’s position?
Bill of Rights game: The Official National Computer has crashed. Your mission: Rebuild the document by finding the missing rights and freedoms in Freeville.
What’s Your Constitution IQ?
Which Founding Father Would You Vote For?
Constitution Game
Interview Ben Franklin
Lesson Plans
The National Constitutional Center: Several excellent lessons plans ranging from historical to current events that involve the U.S. Constitution
Center for Civic Education: Lesson plans for all ages, including high school. (Some of the elementary lesson plans can are very good and can easily be adapted for high school students.)
Lesson plans from Thinkfinity’s Edsitement: Content-approved Featured Lesson Plans run along the left side of your screen.
Civics and Government lesson plans from the Library of Congress
“Constitution Primary Source Set” from the Library of Congress. Includes Teacher’s Guide.
General Websites
Constitution Day: Celebrate the Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
Sunnylands Constitution Project (includes short videos)
National Constitutional Center
Print & DVD/Video Resources in the NHS Library* Primary Sources
Locke, John. (1988). Two Treatises of Government. New York: Cambridge University Press. Presents John Locke’s seventeenth-century classic work on political and social theory; and includes a history of the text, as well as notes and a bibliography. 320 LOC
Montesquieu, Charles de Secondat, baron de (2002). The Spirit of Laws. Amherst, NY: Prometheus. Eighteenth Century French philosopher Charles-Louis de Secondat explores the essential components of good government. 320 MON
Political Cartoons for Civics, Government, and Economics. (2002). Austin, TX: Holt Rinehart and Winston. Presents eighteen political cartoons on topics from throughout history, each accompanies by several study questions, an activity, and discussion guide. 320.4 POL
Drew, Katherine. (2004). Magna Carta. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Presents and examination of the Magna Cart, an agreement negotiated in 1215 between King John of England and his barons after the barons revolted in protest against increasing demands from the crown for money and services, and includes biographies of significant people, and selections from primary documents. 342.4202 DRE
The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, Being a Collection of Essays Written in Support of the Constitution Agreed Upon September 17, 1787, by the Federal Convention. (1941). New York: The Modern Library. 342.73 HAM
Maurer, Robert. The Constitution of the United States. (1941). Boston: D.C. Heath & Company. 342.73 MAU
Moehn, Heather. (2003). The U.S. Constitution: A Primary Source Investigation Into the Fundamental Law of the United States. New York: Rosen Primary Source. A historical review of the people, issues, and events that led to the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution. 342.73 MOE
St. John, Jeffrey. A Child of Fortune: A Correspondent’s Report on the Ratification of the U.S. Constitution and the Battle for a Bill of Rights. (1990). Ottawa, IL: Jameson Books. 342.73 STJ
Tocqueville, Alexis de. (1987). Democracy in America : v. I and II. New York: Knopf. Based partly on the author’s observations of American political and social conditions during a visit in 1831-1832. 973 TOQ
Civil Liberties
Basum, Ann. (2006). Freedom Riders: John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement. Washington, D.C. : National Geographic. Recounts the freedom ride of John Lewis and Jim Zwerg into the South in 1961 as part of the Civil Rights Movement. 323 BAU
Civil Liberties: Opposing Viewpoints. (1994). San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. Presents opposing viewpoints on issues relating to civil liberaties, including privacy, freedom of the press, and censorship. 323 CIV
Corbin, Carole Lynn. (1985). The Right to Vote. New York: F. Watts. Documents history of the right to vote in America, from colonial times to the present, including the struggles of blacks, women, and those under twenty-one to win that right. 324.6 COR
Fradin, Judith Bloom. (2006). Jane Addams: Champion of Democracy. New York: Clarion Books. Presents a biography of Jane Addams, suffragist, civil rights activist, and founder of the Hull House in the slums of Chicago that draws from hundreds of historical documents; and contains archival photographs of her life and activities. B ADD
Lang, Susan S. Censorship. (1993). New York: F. Watts. Discusses opposing viewpoints in the ongoing debate over placing limits on television and radio broadcasts, news reporting, school curricula, and public speaking. 363 LAN
Mayer, Robert H. (2008). When the Children Marched: The Birmingham Civil Rights Movement. Berkeley Heights, NJ : Enslow Publishers. Chronicoles the civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama, the leaders of the movement, and how the children helped in the fight to end segregation in the South. 323.1196 MAY
St. John, Jeffrey. Forge of the Union, Anvil of Liberty: A Correspondent’s Report on the First Federal Elections, the First Federal Congress, and the Bill of Rights. Ottawa, IL: Jameson Books. 973.4 STJ
Truly, Traci. (2005). Teen Rights (and Responsibilities): A Legal Guide for Teens and the Adults In Their Lives. Naperville, IL: Sphinx Pub. Presents a guide to the legal rights and responsibilities of children and teenagers, at school, work, and home, including information on drugs abuse, discrimination, dress codes, curfews, child labor, marriage, and more. Includes a list of agencies and organizations for further research.346.7301 TRU
Whitney, Sharon. The Equal Rights Amendment: The History and the Movement. (1984). New York: F. Watts. Examines the ERA movement, its criticisms, and its ultimate defeat in Congress. 342.73 WHI
Zerman, Melvyn Bernard. Taking on the Press: Constitutional Rights in Conflict. (1986). New York: Crowell. The conflict between the first amendment rights of the press and the rights of individuals and the government is explored through actual, well-known cases. 342.73 ZER
DVD/Video Resources
12 Angry Men. (1990). MGM/UA Home Video. Courtroom drama revolving around the trial accused of killing his father. One man stands between him and capital punishment. VID ENG 791.4 TWE
Branches of Government: The Executive Branch. (1982). Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society. Studies the decisions of powers in the federal government and looks at the designation of responsibilities within each branch. VID SS 320.4 EXE
Branches of Government: The Judicial Branch. (1982). Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society. Studies the decisions of powers in the federal government and looks at the designation of responsibilities within each branch. VID SS 320.4 JUD
Branches of Government: The Legislative Branch. (1982). Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society. Studies the decisions of powers in the federal government and looks at the designation of responsibilities within each branch. VID SS 320.4 LEG
Citizen Stories: Democracy and Responsibility in American Life. (1991). Alexandria, VA: Close Up Foundation. Democracy demands participation of its citizens. We need to be active players in the affairs of our nation. This tape presents stories of five individuals who become involved in government. They are living examples of what committed people can do in a community. VID SS 323.4 CIT
Key Constitutional Concepts. (2006). PJ Productions. These three 20-minute videos examines key constitutional concepts. The first explains why the nation’s framers created the Constitution. The second describes the protection of individual rights by highlighting the Supreme Court case of Gideon v. Wainwright, affirming the right to an attorney. The last explores the separation of powers by examining the Supreme Court case of Youngstown v. Sawyer; a challenge to President Truman’s decision to take over steel mills during the Korean War.DVD SS 342 KEY
King, Martin Luther Jr. Martin Luther King: I Have a Dream. (1986). Oak Forest, IL: Maljack Productions, Inc. when 200,000 civil rights marchers gathered at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in August 1963, they expected to hear strong words form their spiritual leader, Martin Luther King. What they did not expect was a speech of such heartfelt passion and poetic eloquence that it echoes still in our memory. VID SS 323.4 MAR
Mr. Chief Justice. (1992). Richmond, VA. Reenacts a “lawyers dinner” given by John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. He served in this position for 34 years, 1801-1835, and molded a weak, ineffective Supreme Court into the final arbiter of the Constitution. VID SS 347.73 MIS
Our Constitution: A Conversation. (2005). Kunhardt Productions. A conversation about the U.S. Constitution featuring former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and Stephen G. Breyer. DVD SS 342 OUR
Patrick Henry: Virginia Patriot. (1989). Brookneal, VA. Using reenactments recorded at historical sites in Virginia, the video portrays the life of Patrick Henry. VID SS 973.3 PAT
*Historical fiction titles relating to the Constitution and civil liberties are available. Please ask Mr. Sparks for recommendations.