The Constitution at Work: Elementary Edition

Suggested Teaching Instructions

This activity should be taught following an introduction to the U.S. Constitution and discussion of each branch of government and its responsibilities. For grades 4-5. Approximate time needed is 50 minutes.

You may wish to share a transcript of the U.S. Constitution and the history of its creation with students.

Choose one document in the grid to model careful document analysis and matching for students.

Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Ask students to begin the activity, analyzing each document for a possible link to the Constitution. Students should match each document with the specific article and section of the Constitution that it best demonstrates.

After concluding, discuss with students how each of the documents illustrates the Constitution at work and how it is relevant to the lives of Americans today.