MyTown and the Three Branches of Government (webcast)(Grades 3-5)
Members of CRF’s Youth Board lead a lesson for elementary students as they learn about the three branches of government. Links to free, downloadable lesson materials included.

The Challenge of Democracy (Secondary)
These free lessons relate to many constitutional principles and challenges facing our society under the themes of Diversity, Governance, Information, and Violence. 

Election Central (Secondary)
Here are lessons on current issues in the U.S. electoral system, policy issues in the 2020 election, and elections in U.S. history.

The Census in U.S. History (webcast)(Secondary)
This webcast also has questions that students can answer online as they view the video, as well as links to lessons on the Electoral College and the U.S. Census.

Boston Plays  (Grades 3-5)
Students take part in a series of imaginative plays illustrating the lack of various rights during the American Revolutionary War period and then identify those rights in the actual Bill of Rights.   

A More Perfect Union (Grades 5-12--Slideshow)
Students view a slideshow outlining events leading to the U.S. Constitution and participate in a discussion activity on "enduring questions." 

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (Secondary)
Students read an article on the struggle for separation of church and state and participate in a hypothetical debate between James Madison and Patrick Henry on the issue.

The Major Debates of the Constitutional Convention (Secondary)
Students read an article on the major issues and compromises tackled during the Constitutional Convention and participate as commission members in discussing representation in the modern U.S. Senate.  

(Please login to download these FREE lessons below)

Kindergarten, Grades 1-2

The Tired King Login to Download PDF
This short lesson introduces students to the three branches of government as they assist a hypothetical king with his daily tasks in a fairy-tale type kingdom. (From Adventures in Law and History, Vol. II)

Grades 3-5

A Visitor from Outer Space Login to Download PDF 
In this lesson, students must reach consensus on the rights they value most. Also available for grades 5-12 as a PowerPoint lesson.

Our Rights and Freedoms ("Visitor From Outer Space" webcast) 
This webcast with middle-school participants leads you through the steps of conducting the Visitor From Outer space lesson in a distance-learning environment.

Mr. Madison Needs Some Help Login to Download PDF
Here are three lessons to choose from or implement as a unit. The first lesson provides background on the Constitution, the second engages students in helping James Madison develop a Bill of Rights, and the third focuses on the First Amendment. (From Adventures in Law and History, Vol. II)

Trouble in Gold Flats Login to Download PDF
In a series of four lessons, students visit a hypothetical gold-mining camp of the 1800s and learn about the need for fair and enforceable laws and the basic structures of government. (From Adventures in Law History, Vol. I)

Grades 6-8

A Visitor from Outer Space Login to Download PDF
In this lesson, students must reach consensus on the rights they value most.  Also available for grades 5-12 as a PowerPoint lesson.

Our Rights and Freedoms ("Visitor From Outer Space" webcast) 
This webcast with middle-school participants leads you through the steps of conducting the Visitor From Outer space lesson in a distance-learning environment.

Rome: Republic to Empire Login to Download PDF 
This lesson links the content standards of 6th grade History-Social Science with our U.S. Constitution. It provides a reading on Roman kings, the republic, and the end of the republic for 6th grade. The application activity has students role play members of a congressional committee deciding if a new amendment should be added to the U.S. Constitution. (From CityYouth, Ancient History)

The Federalist Papers Login to Download PDF
This lesson provides a reading on the Federalist Papers and engages students in a role play and discussion activity focusing on issues that surrounded the adoption of the Constitution. (From Project History)

Grades 9-12

A Visitor from Outer Space  Login to Download PDF 

In this lesson, students must reach consensus on the rights they value most. (From V.O.I.C.E., Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago. Also available for grades 5-12 as a PowerPoint lesson.)  

Aristotle: In Search of the Best Constitution  Login to Download PDF
This lesson begins with a reading on Aristotle, his politics, and his views on citizenship and constitutions. Students then participate in an activity that has them weigh the pros and cons of two types of governments/societies. (From Bill of Rights in Action newsletter)

Diversity and Equality Login to Download PDF
In this lesson, students read about issues of diversity and equality using a constitutional framework. A simplified moot court activity follows the reading. (From The Challenge of Governance)

The Constitution and Governance Login to Download PDF 
After a reading about the origin and principles of constitutional government, the lesson provides an activity focusing on the constitutions of emerging democracies. (From The Challenge of Governance)

Foundations of Our Constitution  Readings, activities, and the complete texts of documents that serve as the foundation for American democracy.

Bill of Rights in Action Archives  Many lessons on U.S. history, world history, and government from Bill of Rights in Action, CRF's quarterly curricular newsletter. We have published this tremendous resource since 1967, and we continually add to the archive.

Arizona's SB1070 and State Policing of Immigration Explore a constitutional issue in the making with this lesson plan on the Arizona immigration-control controversy from Educating About Immigration web site.

From CRF's Catalog

DOWNLOAD NOW!!! For only $9.95 each, purchase and download now these PowerPoint presentations (Windows). Using animated graphics, each present content on the U.S. Constitution and guide students through an exciting interactive classroom activity. The accompanying teacher's guide includes taking points to accompany the content presentation, step-by-step teaching procedures for the activity, and student handout masters.