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2009 Constitution Week Activities

Rockingham County Public Schools
Constitution Day/Week Activities

Cub Run
On Constitution Day, Mr. James Madison himself visited Cub Run, met and greeted different classes and students -- as well as meeting the entire 4th grade at 11 a.m. for a "press conference."  He followed this with a visit to 5th grade classes.  The children read and answered questions from an article in Scholastic News about Democracy, then broke into groups, came up with a set of rules or "constitution" as if they were stranded on a deserted island, and explained their choices.

In 2nd grade, classes read the book, "We the Kids" by David Catrow and viewed a video clip from Discovery Education.

In 1st grade, class activities included us of materials from Scholastic News on the Constitution, discussion about the Pledge of Allegiance, the flag, the symbols and rules.  Miss Parks showed her class a copy of the Constitution and showed them videos she had taken at the National Archives in Washington and at Independence Hall in Philadelphia helping students visualize these documents. 

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Elkton Elementary School
Kindergarten watched the videos History Rock! and We the Kids.

First Grade watched the videos History Rock! and We the Kids ids

Second Grade discussed patriotism, good citizenship, democracy, American rights and freedoms, community, and diversity.  They watched the videos This is Our Country and The American Government, What it Means to be an American Citizen; Citizenship in the Community, A Land of Many People, History Rock! and We the Kids. They worked in the Social Studies Workbook.

Third Grade-Watched Videos: -History Rock!; -We the Kids; -Book – A More Perfect Union

For Fourth Grade the Constitution was a Morning journal topic.  Students watched the videos;
We the People and/or Making a Bill. They read aloud SSSShhhhh…. We Are Reading the Constitution, used the Almanac, and looked at Bill of Rights.

EESThe fifth grade made three corner hats, then created a movie reciting the Preamble to the Constitution.  You can check out one of the movies at:  http://blogs.rockingham.k12.va.us/mlinarchik.

 

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Fulks Run
School-wide, a Constitution Week Proclamation was read on Monday

 5th grade students made a brief announcement about the U.S. Constitution during morning announcements. They also asked a question about the Constitution that was answered during announcements the following day. 
On Constitution Day, Thursday, Sept. 17th students wore red/white/blue to celebrate. 
A viewing of a DVD on the constitution was shown during lunches. 
The librarian taught a lesson on the Constitution during library time at all grade levels.

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John C. Myers

For Constitution Week the school did the following activities:

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John Wayland
Instead of a school-wide activity focus this year, each teacher held a classroom-based and age-appropriate discussion of the importance of the U. S. Constitution.

Constitution Day and its importance were recognized during morning announcements on September 17th.

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Lacey Spring
Held a school assembly that included the Pledge of Allegiance.  Student Leaders (SCA, Safety Patrol, Lacey Leaders) were introduced and shared what their responsibilities are.  Matt Lohr, the Guest Speaker, spoke on the Constitution

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Linville-Edom
Daily announcements included information regarding the Constitution on our morning news program.  Teachers did class lessons where they read books and discussed the constitution and what it means.  As a school students put up a "flag" made of handprints with each child writing or drawing what freedom means to them.  A very large bulletin board was made into our constitution with our "Panther Pride" pledge and all students signed.

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McGaheysville
Activities included the following:

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Mountain View
On Constitution day five MVES fifth graders shared information regarding the three branches of our government on the morning news program.  They read the preamble, explained the judicial, executive, and legislative branches, and defined the checks and balances system.  A poster depicting the three branches and their explanation was displayed on the news and remains on display in the library.

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Ottobine
-Students learned a song called "We the People" that has the text of the constitution as the lyrics over a period of weeks in 5th Grade Chorus. 
-For Constitution day, acted out of "The Tired King" in which students get to act as imaginary characters who help worn-out King Louie figure out a system to get all of his many jobs done.  They matched tasks to departments such as the lawmakers, executives, and judges.  The result was what our government is modeled on today.   
-Students completed a booklet on the Constitution. 
-Students watched a video segment on the development and history of the Constitution.

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Peak View
Video for all grades: The Birth of The Constitution; This is America Charlie Brown

Kindergarten’s lesson was entitled Orb and Effy Learn about Authority.  This lesson introduced the study of authority. Children learned that when people have a right to tell others what to do in certain situations, they are exercising authority. When they do not have that right, they are exercising power without authority. Children learned some ways in which people earn the right to exercise authority. The lesson also illustrated problems that are likely to arise in the absence of effective authority. Children learned how and why authority is useful in society.

Grade 1’s lesson was entitled, The Constitution: The Country's Rules.  In this lesson, students developed an awareness of the Constitution by exploring what it is and why it is important. Students examined their classroom rules poster as an introduction to the concept of rules and why they are important. They learned that the Constitution is the law, or rules, of the United States. Students read a poem to learn about the branches of government. They learned what rights are and how the Constitution protects them. They identified Framers of the Constitution and made a Constitution necklace representing the branches of government.

Grades 1-2’s lesson was entitled, Constitution Day Rap.  This lesson introduced students to several important facts about the Constitution and its history. Students created a thirteen-star flag to learn about the Constitution. They read or performed the Constitution Day Rap to reinforce learning about the Constitution and the branches of government.

Grades 3-4’s lesson was entitled, What Basic Ideas Are in the Preamble to the Constitution?  This lesson explored some ideas in the Preamble to the Constitution. Students learned the importance of the words, "We the People". The lesson emphasized that the power to govern belongs to the people who have created the government to protect their rights and promote their welfare. Students read the Preamble and developed definitions for the six key phrases in the document.

Grades 5’s lesson was entitled, What Basic Ideas about Government Are Included in the Preamble to the Constitution?  This lesson reinforced the ideas in the Preamble to the Constitution. Students studied the implications of the words, "We the People." The lesson emphasized that the power to govern belongs to the people who have created the Students read the Preamble and develop definitions for the six key phrases in the document.

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Plains
Pre-K read books and sang songs

1st grade read Constitution Day handout and visited the following web sites:
http://usconstitution.net/ ]http://usconstitution.net/
http://ratify.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/index_no_flash.php http://ratify.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/index_

2nd grade learned about Good Citizenship in Social Studies to go along with the constitution. 

3rd grade watched a short video clip about Constitution Day and answered some basic comprehension questions.  During Language Arts, students did Mailbox worksheets on Constitution Day.  Both included facts about the constitution. Students wrote short paragraphs about what was learned about the Constitution.

4th grade studied the United States Constitution to gain a deeper understanding of the Preamble. 
They defined key vocabulary, discovered the purpose of our Constitution, and applied this information to their own lives.  Students considered the following information:
“Each citizen in American has certain rights just for being a citizen.  Some people are born citizens of the United States. That means that if you are born in any of the 50 states you are a citizen. Some people are born in a different country but they may become citizens by obeying the laws and then taking a pretty difficult test. This test is all about the history of the United States and the laws that we have to follow.”  For example, if you were born in Mexico but came to the United States as an adult you can take the citizenship test and become an American citizen.  If you were born in Canada and then moved to New York to live you can also become a citizen.  Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in Austria but moved to the USA and became a body builder, lifting weights, then an actor and now he is the governor of California.  In order to become an elected official like governor or senator or president, you have to become a citizen.  Once you become a citizen, you are able to enjoy many rights and freedoms in the USA.
Students made a list of freedoms, things they are allowed to do, then discussed the items on their list.  Students learned about the freedom in the Preamble to the Constitution.  One student read the Preamble aloud.

5th grade studied lessons from the We the People:  The Citizen and the Constitution that tell students about the importance of celebrating the Constitution of the United States of America. Students read about the Constitution, learned about the difference between a rule and a law by creating a chart, discussed why the government should have limits and why we need a Constitution.  Students have learned a song called "We the People" that has the text of the constitution as the lyrics.

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Pleasant Valley
Kindergarten read and discussed the information about the Constitution in a Kindergarten Weekly Reader.  Then students discussed our classroom rules for everyone.

Second Grade studied a citizenship and a flag activity.

4th grade wrote and illustrated poetry for Constitution Day.  Students completed a short Mailbox Magazine worksheet explaining the reason for the special day.

5th Grade Students worked in groups to create charts showing the structure and functions of the three branches of government as outlined in the first three articles to the Constitution.  They defined the terms article, legislative branch, judicial branch, and executive branch; gained a greater understanding of the organizational structure of our government; demonstrated skills in organizing information in a chart; and worked together in cooperative groups.  Students read book, Sh…, We're Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz and participated in a patriotic art activity with stenciling.

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River Bend
Kindergarten showed two discovery education video streaming clips:  Values: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness and Creating a Classroom Constitution.

1st grade used a packet of information from constitutionday.civic.org

2nd grade created a classroom Constitution.

3rd grade classes watched a video called "We the Kids" about the Preamble to the Constitution.  Students discussed the direct democracy of Ancient Greece that they are covering in social studies.

4th grade worked on a writing assignment creating a Children's Constitution.

5th grade jumped ahead in their SOL's to read and discuss the US Constitution.

Each morning’s announcements had information about the Constitution.  The week ended with a red, white and blue day.

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South River
Entire School Activities: Thursday, September 17th

Pre-K – 2nd Grade watched "Charlie Brown:  The Birth of the Constitution".

Pre-K and K created hand painting in red, white and blue.

First Grade learned that our country needed a "list of rules" or a “constitution" to keep our country safe and free.  Students related the Constitution to our classroom rules.   At an independent activity center, children were encouraged to practice writing their names with a “feather pen.”

Second Grade used “Scholastic News” to discuss the constitution.

Third Grade – Fifth Grade watched the School House Rock video on the constitution and the video: "Charlie Brown:  The Birth of the Constitution".

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Elkton Middle
Students in social studies classes had lessons about the Constitution on Constitution Day, September 17.  Local newspaper reporter Ted Hayes of The Valley Banner was invited to come see Constitution Day activities.
Each day during the week of September 14-18on the school’s morning announcements, students learned a different fact about the Constitution of the United States. 
-Monday 9/14 - Written in 1787, the Constitution was signed on September 17th. But it wasn't until 1788 that it was ratified by the necessary nine states.  The original Constitution is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, it was moved to Fort Knox for safekeeping.
-Tuesday 9/15 - Some of the original framers and many delegates in the state ratifying conventions were very troubled that the original Constitution lacked a description of individual rights. In 1791, Americans added a list of rights to the Constitution. The first ten amendments became known as The Bill of Rights.  More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress. Thirty-three have gone to the states to be ratified and twenty-seven have received the necessary approval from the states to actually become amendments to the Constitution. 
-Wednesday 9/16 - Of the 55 delegates attending the Constitutional Convention, 39 signed and 3 delegates dissented. Two of America's "founding fathers" didn't sign the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson was representing his country in France and John Adams was doing the same in Great Britain.  At 81, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention and Jonathon Dayton of New Jersey at 26,was the youngest. 
-Thursday 9/17 - The U.S. Constitution was written in the same Pennsylvania State House where the Declaration of Independence was signed and where George Washington received his commission as Commander of the Continental Army. Now called Independence Hall, the building still stands today on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, directly across from the National Constitution Center.  -The U.S. Constitution was prepared in secret, behind locked doors that were guarded by sentries.  -Of the written national constitutions, the U.S. Constitution is the oldest and shortest. 
-Friday 9/18 - Established on November 26, 1789, the first national "Thanksgiving Day" was originally created by George Washington as a way of "giving thanks" for the Constitution.

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J. Frank Hillyard
Faculty and students at JFHMS recognized the 222-year anniversary of the US Constitution in the following ways:
*Morning announcements featured Constitutional trivia
*Homeroom was extended on Citizenship Day and the students worked in small groups that focused on the responsibilities that go along with their freedoms in the First Amendment.  Some watched one of four BrainPop films that deal with the Constitution.   (US Constitution, Bill of Rights, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin)
*Thursday, Sept. 17 was Red, White, and Blue Day.  Students who wore our country's colors received free admission to the home volleyball game and 5 Talons.
*Three prizes were awarded in a design your own patriotic door hanger contest.

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Montevideo
6th grade had a computer lesson on the Constitution and watched the video from "America Rocks".

7th grade watched a video on Constitution, learned the Preamble in hand motions, corrected the mistakes in a paragraph about James Madison & the Constitution.

8th grade compared and contrasted the U.S. Constitution with other constitutions around the world.  They used a "Think-Pair-Share" activity on philosophers’ contributions to the Constitution.

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Wilbur Pence
For Constitution Week students heard an explanation of the Constitution.  Then, the Constitution was attached to "rolled" sheets and students were invited to sign the document.  The signed Constitution was posted in the classroom.
Students answered the trivia questions each day on the announcements, reminding students to participate in Constitution Week.

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Broadway
Our Congress officially recognizes Sept. 17th as Constitution Day. We celebrated the signing of our Constitution with a trivia question each day this week. The first person to come to Mrs. Chenault’s room after first period with the correct answer won a prize.
- Monday - Where was the US Constitution written?  (The Constitution was written in Philadelphia State House (not Delaware) between May and September of 1787.)
- Tuesday - How many articles does the US Constitution contain?  (The Constitution contains 7 articles.)
- Wednesday - What is the process called when the US Supreme Court determines the constitutionality of a law?  (The Supreme Court's ability to analyze laws in terms of their constitutionality is called "judicial review.")
- Thursday - Which US presidents signed the Constitution?  (There were only two presidents who signed the constitution. George Washington and James Madison.)
- Friday - Why is there a Preamble to the Constitution?  (It's like the introduction to a book or the "Purpose" section of a company document.)

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Spotswood
Posted a Constitution Day Bulletin Board

Constitution Day lessons in various classes included:
World History:

U.S. History:

Government:

Sociology

AP Human Geography

Modern America History

AP US History

Debate     

AP Government

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Turner Ashby
The Social Studies Department put up a bulletin board in the hallway to honor Constitution Week.

Questions about the Constitution were read on the morning announcements.  Winners were selected at the end of the day from answers deposited in a box.  Winners receive free ice cream.

Constitution Day lessons in various classes included:
Government

Modern American History

AP Government