In the modern American politics classroom, ideological and partisan conflict have the capacity to interfere with a healthy classroom environment. This problem is increasingly apparent when students engage questions at the heart of U.S. Constitutional design. By asking students to inhabit fictional roles with preferences and attitudes that may…

The most common activity in a social studies classroom should be the analysis of primary sources. Students are intrigued and engaged by edited and unedited documents, written statements, transcribed speeches, photographs, pictures, charts, graphs, cartoons, and even material objects. Ideally, the goal of social studies teachers is to prepare…

Outlines the complicated constitutional system on which our country is based. Reviews the system of checks and balances, the judiciary system, and the political system and how they have worked to ensure that the government represents the will of the people. (MD)

Designed to help prepare the nation for a thoughtful observance of the Constitutional bicentennial, this publication contains seven essays on the topic of democracy and the Constitution. "Democracy and the Constitution" (Gordon S. Wood) looks at the popular and democratic rhetoric used to justify the federalist system in the late 1700's.…

Second in a three-part series designed to help prepare the nation for a thoughtful observance of the Constitutional bicentennial, this publication contains seven essays on the topic of capitalism and the Constitution. "American Democracy and the Acquisitive Spirit" (Marc F. Plattner) supports the argument that the framers of the…

In May 2005, university administrators were rudely awakened from their civic slumbers by a "notice of implementation" from the U.S. Department of Education. With little advance comment from the academy, Congress had passed and the President had signed into law a requirement that "each educational institution that receives Federal…

Discusses the use of "The Federalist Papers" in U.S. government textbooks to explain the political theory on which the U.S. Constitution is based. Presents an assessment of how 18 introductory texts covered the papers. (GEA)

This article explores the drafting of the United States Constitution. The United States Constitution is the longest-lasting written national constitution in the world. Its four parchment pages serve as the blueprint for a government under which more than 290 million Americans live. It holds great significance for the American people and for others…

Third in a series designed to help prepare the nation for a thoughtful observance of the Constitutional bicentennial, this publication presents six essays addressing the issue of human rights and the Constitution. "How the Constitution Protects Our Rights: A Look at the Seminal Years" (Robert A. Rutland) focuses on James Madison's role…

Presents a two-day lesson which helps students understand the distinction between government and private action and, for more advanced students, to apply past court decisions to a hypothetical situation involving commerce and contract rights. Includes a checklist of 25 items which examines government involvement in students' everyday lives. (GEA)

Evaluates college, high school, and middle school, textbook treatments of the ratification of the Constitution. Discusses treatment of the Federalist and Antiferalist views. Reports an imbalance between the two views in texts sampled. Attributes the imbalance to Federalist victory, herd mentality, and fear that inclusion of controversy will…

Investigates the development of the United States Constitution in the twentieth century up to and including the Burger Court. Contends that interpreting the Constitution is an important issue of our times. Consequently argues that we should teach students about the development of this document. (RKM)

Examines Charles A. Beard's contribution to how scholars interpret the framing of the Constitution and other events of U.S. history. Describes his work in some detail and includes a transcript of a 1926 conference at which Beard spoke in 1926. (RKM)

Notes the importance of using documents in teaching social studies. Describes several sources which teachers can use to teach about the United States Constitution and the Northwest Ordinance in the bicentennial year of 1987. Describes and lists several organizations, programs, and materials. (RKM)

Addresses the contribution of separation of powers and checks and balances in resolving the rival defects of democratic ineptitude and majority tyranny as the Founders framed the Constitution. Contends the Founders structured the government so that the three branches could keep each other in their proper places. Discusses Anti- Federalist…