 You have probably seen the videos of random surveys out in public and particularly on college campuses which reflect a near total lack of knowledge about history or our country. For this reason, a senator created a bill which made it law to teach about the Constitution at least one day per year! Federal law passed in 2004 requires that all schools that receive federal funding provide a course to all students on the Constitution on Constitution Day, September 17. The law is known as H.R. 4818, and the text is found at section 111(b): “Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.” As a fourth grade teacher I covered the chalk board in my classroom with life-size copies of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution which I had purchased at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. (I laminated them first.) It was amazing to me how often students would walk up there and start reading it - they were fascinated. They made a very impressive and beautiful display. The links in this paragraph are to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. where you may order beautiful, life-sized copies very inexpensively! (Yes, the students can also view the documents on their computer screens. But sometimes a tangible, life-size visual is much better.) Find many resources for Constitution Day at our Curriculum Resources site. Make Constitution Day a powerful experience for you and your students!
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 These questions, and many more, can be explored using these resources. From the arts to history . . . these are wonderful ways to engage students in many courses. These are great resources for Constitution Day as well as the upcoming Presidential Election 2016! What are the connections between the American Revolution and what is happening in America today? Integrate technology through videography and filmmaking – students can create . . .
 Totally amazing! George Washington, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams would love it! Enjoy it, and make sure your students have an opportunity to enjoy it as well. Constitution Day is September 17. This performance will inspire patriotism, a love of history and perhaps even inspire some young people to study music! Also see - who is Yankee Doodle? These uniforms are what the musicians in George Washington's army wore. The soldiers wore blue coats with red trim, and the musicians - fife, drum and bugle - wore the opposite, red coats with blue trim. They played a very important role on the battlefield and in camp. You can bring them to your classroom!
The following is from their web site, which also has many resources for the classroom. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is the only unit of its kind in the armed forces, and is part of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). The Fife and Drum Corps is stationed at Fort Myer, VA. The musicians of this unit recall the days of the American Revolution as they perform in uniforms patterned after those worn by the musicians of General George Washington's Continental Army. Military musicians of the period wore the reverse colors of the regiments to which they were assigned. The uniforms worn by the members of the Corps are dated circa 1784, and consist of black tricorn hats, white wigs, waistcoats, colonial coveralls, and distinct red regimental coats. The drum major of the unit is distinguished from the other musicians by his headgear, the light-infantry Cap. In contrast to modern Army bands, and as an indication of prominence, he carries an espontoon instead of the standard mace. The espontoon is an 18th century weapon carried by officers. However, it is used by the drum major to issue silent commands to the Corps. The 69-member Corps uses 10-hole fifes, handmade rope-tensioned drums and single-valve bugles, that bring to life the exciting sounds of the continental army. While traveling, the marching strength of the unit is normally 22 musicians and support personnel. It has been the will of Heaven that we should be thrown into existence at a period when the greatest philosophers and law-givers of antiquity would have wished to live . . . a period when a coincidence of circumstances without example has afforded to thirteen colonies at once an opportunity of beginning government anew from the foundation and building as they choose. How few of the human race have ever had an opportunity of choosing a system of government for themselves and their children? from John Adams' essay, Thoughts on Government, April 1776 Please find resources to help you and your students get the most out of Constitution Day at our 21st Century Curriculum site. Click the image below - after you turn your speakers on.  |
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