Celebrating Constitution Day

Celebrating Constitution Day

Celebrating Constitution Day

Constitution Day is September 17, 2024! This is an opportunity to celebrate the history of this founding document and engage students in the U.S. Constitution’s continued relevance.

iCivics has the resources you need to teach on Constitution Day and explore how the U.S. Constitution has evolved, the relevance it has today, and how the rights it outlines affect students and their families.  

Image of the Declaration of Independence with a flag behind to represent Constitution Day

Play Constitution-themed Games

Game
6-8, 9-12
Road to the Constitution

Constitutional Compromise

Can your students find a path forward for a new nation… with a lot of disagreements?

15-30 min.
Game
6-8, 9-12
Road to the Constitution

Race to Ratify

The debate over the Constitution comes to life as students have their say over whether it gets ratified.

30+ min.
Game
6-8, 9-12
The Constitution

Do I Have a Right?

Run a law firm and test your students’ knowledge of constitutional rights. 

30+ min.

Watch Constitution EXPLAINED Video Series

Teach students about the text, history, and relevance of the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights and additional amendments with the Constitution EXPLAINED video series. 

Each of the 2–4 minute animated video, created in partnership with the Center of Civic Education, is available in English and Spanish and explores an article or amendment in an easily understandable and engaging way.

Video
6-8, 9-12
The Constitution EXPLAINED: Video Series

We the People

The Preamble to the Constitution is the mission statement of the United States government.

<10 min.
Video
6-8, 9-12
The Constitution EXPLAINED: Video Series

Foundations of the Constitution

The structure of the Constitution is built on three key principles: federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

<10 min.
Video
6-8, 9-12
The Constitution EXPLAINED: Video Series

Constitutional Convention

The Constitution was created by a convention that met in Philadelphia in May 1787 to amend the Articles of Confederation, the nation’s first constitution.

<10 min.

Teach with Constitution Day Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan
6-8
The Constitution

Constitution Day Lesson Plan

Give students a snapshot of the Constitution, the purpose of each article, the powers of the three branches, how a bill becomes a law, and more.

One class period
Lesson Plan
6-8
The Constitution

Anatomy of the Constitution Lesson Plan

Help students learn about the duties and powers of the three branches, the amendment process, and the role of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

One class period
Lesson Plan
6-8, 9-12
The Constitution

Amendment Mini-Lesson

This mini-lesson highlights some of the most critical additions to our Constitution and how those additions guarantee students’ rights.

One class period

Explore Constitution Day Activities

Engage your students with activities that highlight the ways in which the U.S. Constitution still guides our government institutions and processes today.
DBQuest
6-8, 9-12
The Constitution

America's Founding Preambles

Task students with digging into the preambles and introductory text of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution.

Multiple sessions
WebQuest
9-12
The Constitution

Constitutional Influencers

This WebQuest takes students through history to the events, people, and documents that inspired the writers of the Constitution.

One class period

Go Deeper with Curriculum Units

Curriculum Unit
6-8, 9-12

Road to the Constitution

Explore how the Constitution came to exist.

Curriculum Unit
6-8, 9-12

The Constitution

Explore key components of the Constitution.

Curriculum Unit
6-8, 9-12

Citizenship & Participation

Explore what it means to be a U.S. citizen.

Ready to Dig In?

Discover lessons designed to meet all of your instructional needs. Our nonpartisan classroom resources engage students with complex concepts in ways they can understand and relate to.