Preamble of the Constitution

Students will:

• Understand the definition of a preamble.
• Understand the importance of the constitution, preamble, and the bill of rights.
• Apply their knowledge in a unique rewriting of the text.

Vocabulary Words:

• Preamble: A preamble is the introductory part of a statute, deed, or the like, stating the reasons and intent of what follows.
   
• Constitution: A constitution is the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, corporation, or the like, is governed and specifically the document embodying these principles.

To prepare for this lesson:
 

• Watch the video, Schoolhouse Rock: Constitution Preamble.  
   
• Be familiar with MeL and set up an account with your Michigan Driver’s License if you don’t have one yet. At school, your Tech Director at a Michigan school is able to send the school's IP addresses to MCLS using this form and the students will not need to log in with their library card or Michigan state ID. At home, the students may need their parent's driver's licenses or state ID to log in. 
   
• Read: MeL article: Constitution of the United States and Britannica School’s article on the United States Constitution. If you have trouble accessing the site, try going to the MeL library: eResources (mel.org); click on Britannica School Elementary Home (eb.com); go to the US Constitution and explore topics within and photos, etc. You can increase the reading level to two, which takes you to Britannica Middle in the same topic.
   
• Use Quizlet for flashcards of the US Constitution.
   
• Do a lesson on the US Constitution with fun facts, terms, a quiz, and more.
   
• Check out this full lesson plan with each part of the Preamble on GoOpen - The Preamble to the Constitution: How Do You Make a More Perfect Union.
   
• Review Images of the American Revolution from the National Archives and how to create your own Classroom Bill of Rights | GoOpenMichigan. Decide if you want to use them in your lessons.

See Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students.net site in the Teacher Resources. 

Directions for this activity:
 

1. Introduction: Have students watch the video, Schoolhouse Rock: Constitution Preamble.  
    
2. Then have them apply their knowledge by practicing with flashcards, doing assessments, and writing.
    
3. Activity: Read a couple of articles, practice with flashcards and take a quiz. 
   • Read: MeL article: Constitution of the United States and Britannica School’s article on the United States Constitution.  
   • Use a full lesson plan with each part of the Preamble on GoOpen - The Preamble to the Constitution: How Do You Make a More Perfect Union?
   • Have students review Images of the American Revolution from the National Archives.

Different options for assessing the students:

• Observations
• Check for understanding
• Use Quizlet for flashcards of the US Constitution.
• Do a lesson on the US Constitution with fun facts, terms, a quiz, and more.
• Have students collectively create their own Classroom Bill of Rights | GoOpenMichigan.