Format
1. Introduction to the National Archives .
2. Students will learn the history and purpose of each of the founding documents: the Declaration of
Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights and complete a graphic organizer.
3. Main Activity: Students will match historical information and purpose to the appropriate document by participating in a kinesthetic activity.
4. The program concludes with a brief discussion of the legacy of the documents.
5. Q & A
Objectives
By completing this program, students will be able to:
-Identify the purpose of each of the founding documents: the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights
-Explain why each of these documents was created
-Understand the legacy of each of these documents
Standards Alignment
National Standards
National Center for History in the Schools History Standards
Standards for Grades K-4 Topic 3 Standard 4A
The student demonstrates an understanding of how the United States government was formed and of the nation’s basic democratic principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Standards for Grades K-4 Topic 3 Standard 4C
The student understands historic figures who have exemplified values and principles of American democracy.
Standards for Grades K-4 Topic 3 Standard 4D
The student understands events that celebrate and exemplify fundamental values and principles of American democracy.
United States History Content Standards for Grades 5-12 United States Era 3 Standard 1A
The student understands the causes of the American Revolution.
United States History Content Standards for Grades 5-12 United States Era 3 Standard 1B
The student understands the principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence.
United States History Content Standards for Grades 5-12 United States Era 3 Standard 3A
The student understands the issues involved in the creation and ratification of the United States Constitution and the new government established.
United States History Content Standards for Grades 5-12 United States Era 3 Standard 3B
The student understands the guarantees of the Bill of Rights and its continuing significance.
National Standards for Civics and Government
NSS.C.K-4.3.A.1
Students should be able to describe what the United States Constitution is and why it is important.
NSS.C.K-4.3.B.1
Students should be able to give examples of ways the national government protects individual rights and promotes the common good.
NSS-C.5-8.2.A.1
Students should be able to explain the essential ideas of American constitutional government.
NSS-C.5-8.3.A.1
Students should be able to explain how the powers of the national government are distributed, shared, and limited.
NSS-C.5-8.3.E.1
Students should be able to explain the importance of law in the American constitutional system.
Common Core State Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.1
Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for answers.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.3
Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in a technical procedure in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI3.7
Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, how key events occur).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.1
Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3
Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.5
Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.R14.7
Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.1
Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3
Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.5
Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL3.3
Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.3
Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker provides to support particular points.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL5.3
Summarize the points a speaker makes and explain how each claim is supported by reasons and evidence.