FoundingDocs2013

Background on Douglass with primary source text of this speech. Format is teacher-friendly for printing as handouts for students.

An examination of the shifting interpretations of the Emancipation Proclamation over time, with a focus on unpacking the complex and contradictory.

Lesson incorporating the letters between Banneker and Jefferson to examine the contradictions between the principles in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, as related to slavery.

Perspective on why the 1812 Overture is the standard song for July 4th.

Transcripts of the Constitution that could be excerpted or used in entirety with classes. This website contains high resolution images and also transcripts of documents. Furthermore, it has background and history of the documents.

Thanks for this!

This is a great video explanation of the Electoral College. I use this with my classes when teaching the Electoral College. It has a great way of explaining the process and why the Electoral College evolved the way it did.

About as clear an explanation as I have ever found. Thanks for sharing.

This is an interesting NYT article that discusses America's view of the Constitution, and the impact the Constitution had on the rest of the world. It chronicles the ways other countries were impacted by the Constitution. For instance, countries that created Constitutions strikingly similar to the U.S.

Everyone should read this article! It could be the foundation for one of our online sessions. Note the remark: "America is in danger, I think, of becoming something of a legal backwater" .

Tons of good things on this site - videos about government (which I find really hard to locate), interactive games, readings and information about federalism, rights and equality.  There are a lot of resources here, including an entire section for teachers.  I think it is mostly geared towards middle and high school teachers.

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.

Although I didn't use this entire lesson, there are some excellent vocabulary and 'anatomy' of the Constitution PDFs that would work well in lower grades and perhaps with ELL students.  Good overview of the structure of government and the powers and duties of the 3 branches. I feel that there is a lot to take from this lesson to use in class.

Great site about George Washington.  Includes links and information on the Constitutional Convention, his personal writings and his farewell address.  Lots of items that can easily be adapted for class.

A PBS video about what happened to the founding fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence.  I think students would find this interesting so they can see how signing this document really did impact the lives of these men.  Would be a nice conclusion to teaching it as it is only 8:00 minutes long.

Tons of information about the US government divided into sections for various grade groups.  I think this would be especially helpful for the younger grades.  The readings are good for all grades but I think that as far as real activities go for older grades, it is lacking.  Overall, easy to use information and helpful for students to use on their own.

This is one of those classic websites, particularly for elementary students. This should be in the repertoire of all elementary teachers, for no other reason, than Constitution Day every September. I also think this is useful for ELL students whose vocabulary is limited but who need to know about US history and government.

Simple and short writings on major Supreme Court cases.  Very good when you need a quick description of the importance of  a case or a handout reading for the class.  This is part of PBS and their section on Supreme Court history.

Landmark cases of the Supreme Court includes Marbury v. Madison, Roe v. Wade, Brown v. Board and other instrumental cases in US history.  Provides synopsis' of the cases for different reading levels and a variety of class activities and worksheets that can be used.

A brief podcast introduction to/analysis of Elizabeth Cady-Stanton's agency within the Women's Movement.

A huge resource of various primary sources from 500 BC to 1800 AD

A massive collection of literature and documents which were relevant to the colonists lives in America. Beginning in 500 B.C. - 500 A.D. through 1700-1800s. So for those Early American History lovers this is a good one. It also includes military documents.