Social Studies Snapshot
New, Noteworthy and What's Next
Constitution Week Resources
State and federal laws mandate a variety of celebrations and observances, including Celebrate Freedom Week:
(A) Each social studies class shall include, during Celebrate Freedom Week as provided under the TEC, ยง29.907, or during another full school week as determined by the board of trustees of a school district, appropriate instruction concerning the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in their historical contexts. The study of the Declaration of Independence must include the study of the relationship of the ideas expressed in that document to subsequent American history, including the relationship of its ideas to the rich diversity of our people as a nation of immigrants, the American Revolution, the formulation of the U.S. Constitution, and the abolitionist movement, which led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the women's suffrage movement.
(B) Each school district shall require that, during Celebrate Freedom Week or other week of instruction prescribed under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, students in Grades 3-12 study and recite the following text:
"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness--That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed."
Constitution Day Lesson Plans
Constitution Day and Citizenship
Civic Ed
EDGOV
National Constitution Center
Region 13 Constitution Day Resources
Essential Questions for Constitution Week and Government
What does it mean to be a citizen?
What is the purpose of a Constitution?
What is government?
How are state and local governments organized and what do they do?
What are the rights of citizens?
What are the responsibilities of citizens?
How can citizens take part in civic life?