Constitution Day Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

Constitution Day is September 17, the day in 1787 when our U.S. government was born. Meet your Constitution Day education requirement with this free and engaging lesson plan. This interactive lesson gives students a quick snapshot of the Constitution, including the purpose of each article, the powers of the three branches, how a bill becomes a law, and the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances.

Enjoyed this lesson? Find more Constitution Day resources in this collection.

*NEW* Constitution Day - Amendment Edition Lesson Plan
Check out this brand new lesson plan which highlights the Constitution's amendments and new artwork from Do I Have a Right? This lesson is great for visual and English language learners!

Teacher Resources

Get access to lesson plans, teacher guides, student handouts, and other teaching materials.

I find the materials so engaging, relevant, and easy to understand – I now use iCivics as a central resource, and use the textbook as a supplemental tool. The games are invaluable for applying the concepts we learn in class. My seniors LOVE iCivics.

Lynna Landry , AP US History & Government / Economics Teacher and Department Chair, California

Related Resources

Lesson Plan

Amendment Mini-Lesson

Looking for a fun and easy way to help students learn or review their individual rights? This mini-lesson highlights the Constitution's amendments and new artwork from one of our fondest games Do I Have a Right?. Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
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DBQuest

America's Founding Preambles

Learn how the American idea of government evolved from a revolutionary response to monarchy to a union of states. The sources will illustrate the effort taken to reach “a more perfect union” through a close read of our founding documents. Students will dig into the preambles and introductory text of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution.
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Lesson Plan

Anatomy of the Constitution

This lesson gives an article-by-article overview of the structure and function of the U.S. Constitution. Students learn about the duties and powers of the three branches, the amendment process, and the role of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
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AP® U.S. Government and Politics Course

Created by a team of veteran AP Gov. teachers and content experts from iCivics and Study Edge, this online, on-demand course is designed to support teachers and students alike as they navigate the newly-designed AP course and exam. Our course includes over 100 videos and accompanying study guides that break down all of the essential content, making it more accessible for all learners. Start studying today by exploring the first three sections for free!
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Branches of Power

Learn to control all three branches of the U.S. government!
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Lesson Plan

Changing the Constitution (HS)

Learn how the Constitution has changed over time and what methods created those changes. Analyze specific examples of change including amendments, Supreme Court decisions, and legislation.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
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Lesson Plan

Comparing Constitutions (WA)

How does Washington’s state constitution compare and contrast with the U.S. Constitution? Look no further for the answer! Guide your class through some basic similarities and differences as well as side-by-side text analysis with this lesson’s integrated reading/activity format.
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Lesson Plan

Comparing Constitutions: Ohio (HS)

Compare and contrast the U.S. and Ohio constitutions in this hands-on lesson using excerpts from both documents. Dig into how they structure the government, address individual rights, outline the amendment process and more.
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WebQuest

Constitutional Influencers

Magna Carta, Montesquieu, the Mayflower, and more! Follow this WebQuest through history to the events, people, and documents that inspired the writers of the Constitution.
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Lesson Plan

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View the Constitution from the perspective of its foundational principles. Consider the Founders' intentions and the Constitution itself as you discover how the constitutional principles are critical to a free society.iCivics en español! Student and class materials for this lesson are available in Spanish.
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