We the people… observe Constitution Day
By Dante on September 14th, 2011
The United States Constitution is the most important document in the country. It sets out our form of government and enumerates rights and protections for American citizens. It was ratified in 1787, and is arguably more relevant now than ever before. Not bad for a 224-year-old.
Schools across the country dedicate one day a year to teaching and celebrating the Constitution. Officially, September 17 is Constitution Day. (The Constitution was ratified on September 17, 1787.) But this year, schools are observing Constitution Day on September 16.
A great Constitution Day resource — for students, parents, and teachers — is the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps special report Know Your Constitution. The special report brings the Constitution alive through interviews with people charged with upholding the laws and rights of the Constitution.
One of the interviews in the collection is with President Barack Obama. When the Kid Reporters spoke with the President in July, they took the opportunity to ask him about the Constitution. After all, he was a Constitutional Law professor before becoming President — and his primary responsibility as President is to protect and uphold the Constitution. His insights on why the Constitution is relevant and cool in 2011 are sure to resonate with kids — they certainly made an impression on the Kid Reporters!
Some of the other interviews in the collection are with former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts, and former Senator Robert Byrd. These are joined by stories from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and the Newseum in Washington, D.C., which put on an exhibit highlighting the First Amendment. Games and other resources for kids and adults alike round out the collection.
You can learn more about Constitution Day on the Constitution Center website. There, you can find information about the Constitution itself, the Amendments, and the Consitutition Hall webcast.
How are you observing Constitution Day? Do you have a favorite Amendment? Let us know in the comments section!
Posted: September 14th, 2011 under More News. Tags: kid reporters, news, schools, teaching resources.
4 comments
Comments
You linked to the Library of Congress website, but not the National Archives, where the Constitution is actually kept?
Comment on September 14, 2011 at 10:21 pm
It’s a biased answer, but of course, the First amendment! Great post and loved the Kids Press Corps report.
Comment on September 15, 2011 at 1:09 pm
@Ava Thanks for your comment about the links. When I wrote the post, the National Archives site wasn’t working. But the pages are back up so I’m altering the links to direct to the National Archives. Thanks again!
Comment on September 15, 2011 at 1:44 pm
unfortunate obama does not like the way the constitution is written and wants to change it to support his social marxist needs. My Daughter came home with this garbage today and had explained to her the constitution needs no change.
Comment on September 16, 2011 at 3:56 pm
