Learning Opportunity

First Published: Summer 2007

Did you know that all U.S. public schools – kindergarten through university level – are required to teach about the Constitution on Constitution Day? The annual observance is the brainchild of U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., who led the effort to make lessons on the historic document mandatory. As a result, students at schools receiving federal funding must learn about the Constitution on or around Sept. 17 each year. The Constitution was officially adopted on Sept. 17, 1787.

The NAA Foundation and the Bill of Rights Institute have joined forces this year to offer materials designed to help teachers and students celebrate this important milestone in the nation’s history.

“Ever since Congress mandated the annual Constitution Day program in public schools, educators have been on the lookout for innovative ways to comply,” says Jim Abbott, vice president of the NAA Foundation. “We are delighted to partner with the Bill of Rights Institute in providing Constitution Day materials to teachers and students across the nation through our Newspaper In Education and youth content programs.”

In cooperation with the NAA Foundation, the Bill of Rights Institute has produced a 12-page tabloid section packed with engaging newspaper-related activities, interactive puzzles and thought-provoking games. Content focuses on the Constitutional Convention, the Constitution itself and the Bill of Rights, with special emphasis on the First Amendment.

“The answer to the perennial classroom question ‘Why do I need to learn this?’ becomes clear on every page of almost every section,” says Veronica Burchard, director of curriculum development for the Bill of Rights Institute.

For newspapers that prefer in-paper materials, there’s also a five-part series. Newspapers have the option of using some or all of the content before, on or after Constitution Day.

The Constitution Day package features an online component. It boasts Flash-driven versions of tabloid activities, including “Madison’s Notes Are Missing.” Another activity enables students to travel back in time to 1787 and “talk” with delegates at the Constitutional Convention. After learning about five important Convention topics, students get to “vote” on the issues and then write a summary of what they learned.

Lesson plans for students at various levels also are provided, as well as a “Founders’ Gallery” with portraits of key figures in early U.S. history. An audio biography profiles George Mason, “father” of the Bill of Rights. Whatever you decide to use, note that it’s all available free of charge thanks to a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Constitution Day materials can be accessed from the NAA Foundation Web site, www. naafoundation.org. Look for the Constitution Day link on the home page.