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The history coordinator for Newton (Lucia Sullivan) emailed this article to us, and I wanted to share it here with all of you. It's a great perspective on how we, as historians, must work hard to present as essays as history teachers. He talks about how to frame content, essays, and primary source evidence in a meaningful way that is accessible for all students. Given the topics brought up by this course, it seemed fairly germane.

This is the National Archives' "Charters of Freedom" website. In addition to having full transcriptions of the DOI, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, there are links to many ancillary materials as well. Included in the site are lesson suggestions, other primary source materials, and scholarly essays about the legacy of our Founding Documents.

This site has good pdf links to all the founding documents.  Additionally, it includes a section on using the Constitution and connecting it to current events.  I have used this before in class and it works great (and it includes recent news - from the past week!).  It also includes various lessons to use too.

The Bill of Rights institute offers a wealth of materials for teachers. In addition to copies of each of the Founding Documents and accompanying essays about each, there are many other materials on the site. Among my favorite resources are the many lesson plans made for teachers of all levels.

This is helpful essay provides background (for teachers or as a source to modify for students) on cruel and unusual punishment clause in the 8th Amendment. Provides information on influences to the writing/inclusion of the clause in the U.S. Constitution, as well as a concise yet cogent history of its interpretation over time through case outcomes. Further reading and a "Teacher's Companion Lesson" pdf provided.

A great source for research on presidential administrations, including essays on each president breaking down foreign and domestic accomplishments, issues in each presidential campaign

Written by Madison, Hamilton and Jay, (although anonymously) with the intention of helping to persuade New York to ratify the Constitution. These essays discuss specific provision of the Constitution in detail and can be used to gain insight into the intentions of the writers of the Constitution.

United States House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives This article focuses on the women's rights movement from 1848-1920 and althought predates Jeannett Rankin she is mentioned. The article gives a good analysis of the pivotal point in the late 19th centur.

This is a somewhat scholarly look at how African Americans, artisans and small farmers viewed the Constitution. Great for your own background or to give honors or AP kids something to think about and wrestle with. Not your typical point of view!