Activities, Lesson Plans, and More
- Y—Young (PreK-3rd)
- M—Middle (4th-6th)
- O—Older (7th-12th)
- T—Teacher Resources
The Interactive Constitution
This interactive Constitution from the National Constitution Center let’s students explore the Constitution, from the preamble to the 27th Amendment. Each section page is accompanied by supporting lesson plans, articles, podcasts, videos, and other resources.
The Bill of Rights: A Brief History
The Bill of Rights were not included in the original Constitution, but their inclusion would be pivotal in its ratification. Learn about the early debate over the Bill of Rights, and how they’ve grown to be enforced over the years from The American Civil Liberties Union.
The Debate Over the Bill of Rights: Primary Source Docs
The Center for the Study of the American Constitution from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has a large collection of primary sources that showcase the early debate over the Bill of Rights.
Creating the Bill of Rights
Creating the Bill of Rights is a digital exhibition by the Library of Congress that explores where the ideas contained in the Bill of Rights originated by connecting each of the Amendments with other influencing documents.
The Charters of Freedom
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are collectively known as the Charters of Freedom. You can find scans and the full text of the original documents on the National Archives.
The Bill of Rights Web Guides
This Bill of Rights guide from the Library of Congress provides photo copies and the full text of the Bill of Rights, as well as related lessons, activities, and digital exhibitions.
Bill of Rights Institute
The Bill of Rights Institute is a civics education foundation that offers thousands of classroom-ready history and civics resources. It has a large collection of curricula, primary sources, lesson plans, a digital textbook, narrative-based lessons, videos, events, programs, and more.
Records of Rights
Record of Rights is a digital exhibition by the National Archives that looks at the continued expansion of rights after the Bill of Rights. Contains letters, documents, photos, maps, and other primary sources related to Equal Rights, Rights to Freedom and Justice, Rights to Privacy, Workplace Rights, First Amendment Rights, and Native American Rights.
Protecting the Rights of the People: Lesson Plans
In these lesson plans from Thinkport, students will analyze, compare, and contrast the Bill of Rights to other Rights documents and laws in the US. For grades 9-10.
United States Bill of Rights and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
In these lesson plans from the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, students will compare and contrast the US Bill of Rights with the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For grades 9-12.
ConstitutionFacts.com
The Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence - and much more. You'll find interesting insights into the men who wrote the Constitution, how it was created, and how the Supreme Court has interpreted the United States Constitution in the two centuries since its creation.
Constitution for Kids - K-3
Includes information on the basics, history, the Bill of Rights and more! Grades K-3 from USConstitution.net.
The Constitution for Kids - Grades 4 - 7
Includes information on the basics, history, slavery, the Bill of Rights Women and how it all works together. Grades 4-7 from USConstitution.net.
The Constitution for Kids: 8th - 12th Grade
Includes information on the basics, history, slavery, the Bill of Rights Women and how it all works together. Grades 8-12 from USConstitution.net.
History of the Bill of Rights
These lesson plans from the Washington Courts provide students with an overview of the Bill of Rights, the history of the Bill of Rights, and the key leaders involved with their passing. For grades 4-8.
Bill of Rights Golf
Learn the Bill of Rights by playing Golf. This game quizzes students on Supreme Court and lower court cases pertaining to the Bill of Rights. From the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game
To encourage students to comprehend checks and balances, separation of powers, Bill of Rights and amendments and relate them to the study of the three branches of our federal government. Several activities are described. The culminating activity is the "Power Grab Game" given before the final test on the Constitution Unit.
Creating a Bill of Rights in Space
A lesson plan from Washington Courts that uses the US Bill of Rights as a springboard for students to discuss and create a bill of rights for an intergalactic space colony. Grades 4-8.
Do I Have a Right? (Game)
“In Do I Have a Right? you can run your own firm of lawyers who specialize in constitutional law. Decide if potential clients have a right, match them with the best lawyer, and win their case. The more clients you serve and the more cases you win, the faster your law firm grows!” From iCivics.
Bill of Rights Lessons and Activities for Kids
Mr. Donn has a collection of lessons, handouts, quizzes, and activities for learning and teaching about the Bill of Rights.
Our Constitution: The Bill of Rights Lesson Plans
A series of lesson plans from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History that has students analyze the Bill of Rights and apply them to Supreme Court Cases. Designed for grades 10-12.
Why the Bill of Rights Matters to You
“This lesson will allow students to use primary sources, the Bill of Rights, and Supreme Court cases in conjunction with the game “That’s Your Right” and the Annenberg Guide to the Constitution. Students will be able to understand the meaning and importance of the Bill of Rights as well as how it safeguards freedoms and protects citizens from government intrusion in everyday life. Students will focus on primary sources, the Bill of Rights and real-life scenarios to prepare them to play the game “That’s Your Right.” Afterward, students can extend learning by exploring real Supreme Court cases that affect students in schools.” From the Annenberg Public Policy Center, for grades 7-10.
