Happy Constitution Day!

Yes, today is a holiday- it marks the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787. My feelings about this day being a holiday are mixed- the government passed a law telling school districts that they have to teach about the Constitution today, and while I am all in favor of that, the national government doesn't have the power to order that according to the Constitution. Oh well!

Constitution Day is another one of those teaching days that students always give great reviews to at the end of the year. My lesson plan is simple- by the end of the day, students will walk out of my class believing in the Constitution more so than they did the day before. The lesson begins with students reflecting on the Constitution, talking about what it means to them. Think about that a minute- what does it mean to you?

My students talk about many things. Most talk about it being a protection of their rights, and talk about all the amendments and the rights that those protect. Some of my students like the Constitution because it put in place a governmental structure that let America grow from 13 small poor states into the worlds greatest, most prosperous, and most free superpower ever. Some students talked about how the Constitution was a symbol of the past, a link between our mythic forebears and them, and how holding to it meant holding to the ideas and ideals of such giants as Jefferson, Madison, and Washington.

Then, I give all of my students a gift- their own copy of a mini-Constitution. These are provided to me by my local Congressman. My high school teacher gave me one, and I still carry it with me (it's in my school bag), and so I make sure that every student who graduates from the school I teach at gets a mini-Constitution of their own. The reflection makes them take this gift seriously, and not just shove it in their bag. Throughout the year, I will see students reading it, reflecting on it, or just carrying it around- but that is the start to getting them to at least see the Constitution as not just some forgotten 'living' document, but instead a relevant reminder of what America should look like.

The real meat of the lesson though is my lecture of the day, which is a discussion on the six principles that the Constitution embodies- popular sovereignty, limited government, checks and balances, separation of powers, federalism, and judicial review. Each one is briefly introduced, connected to the Constitution, and then we discuss how closely America is following these ideals. This conversation, led by students, who are naturally cynical, naturally turns to a discussion about how America has fallen from these ideals. Students get fired up about this, and fighting angry- their inner fire burns bright, and the call of freedom is awakened in them and cries out for release. They are fighting mad. Sadly years of college and misinformation in the media will dull most of them, so that they become numb to the loss of their freedoms and liberty- but at least on this day they remember the Constitution, and remember the principles it embodies.

Happy Constitution Day everyone!