The U.S. Constitution For Students

As we begin to look at various current events, I thought it important that we first take a look at the United States Constitution since it spells out the framework for our government and our governance under it as citizens. It is our most famous founding document, and yet many Americans have never read it. You don’t want to be one of them!

I’m sitting at my desk with a little pocket size copy – perfect for students - entitled The U.S. Constitution And Fascinating Facts About It. The Constitution was written in 1787at what is now called Independence Hall, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has long been considered the most influential legal document ever written – and it has stood the test of time.

The Constitution as first written was brief and to the point, just spanning pages 31 – 44 in this little book. The Bill of Rights (the popular name for its first 10 Amendments) was a collection of proposed changes as the Founding Fathers continued to consider their document’s impact and scope. They realized that some important changes were necessary, and Congress did adopt (or “ratify”) those changes a few years later in 1791. You will find them listed on pages 45 – 56. Yet it is important to note that The Constitution was so thoughtfully written that, today, there are a mere 27 Amendments total.

Every American citizen should take an hour or so to read The Constitution. If you home school, be sure to include this in your assignments over the next week or two. You can fit it into government, history or English—or as a special project. Any of these will work! Why is it important? Because:

1. it will help you become more knowledgeable about your country

2. it will outline your basic rights as an American citizen

3. it will show you the structure that has facilitated the making of great entrepreneurs and businesses without precedence in the world

4. it will show you how individuals and families like yours, too, can live and work with freedom and opportunity

5. it will continue to mold the culture you live in and, therefore, the opportunities it can hold for your future

It also will provide you with a basic understanding for critiquing the reports you see in the news – some of which we’ll be discussing here over the next several weeks.

So, I encourage you to visit www.ConstitutionFacts.com where you can obtain a free copy like mine. Much more info is available there, along with fun quizzes, interesting facts about The Constitution and its signers and all kinds of resources that will up your Constitution IQ. And for those with an artistic bent, there is a poster contest advertised for Constitution Day (September 17, 2019), with a $100 prize!

Then, come back to Common Sense Curriculum for discussions and perspectives on topics in the news and current events in the weeks ahead. I look forward to “seeing” you!