Bianca and the

Constitution

Liz SeltzerSecond Grade Social Studies

Standard:

SS.2.C.3.1- Identify the Constitution as the document which establishes the structure, function, powers, and limits of American government.

Learning Goal:

Students will be able to identify the Constitution as the document which establishes the structure, function, powers and limits of the American government.

Essential Question:

What is the Constitution?What are rights?

Think about our essential question…

Find your level of understanding:

“I have never heard of the Constitution and I do not know what Rights are.”

“I have heard these words before but don’t know what they mean.”

“I know what the Constitution is and can describe a Right and name one that is in the Constitution.”

“I can describe the Constitution, its purpose and how it was written. I know what a right is and can name two that are in the Constitution. I can also teach a buddy about this. ”

Bianca yawned a big yawn and plunked her head onto her desk. Social Studies Class is SOOO boring she thought. Her eyes sealed shut and she took a deep breath. Suddenly she hear the clomp-clomp of horse feet and realized she was no longer at her desk but standing. She wasn’t alone. There was someone, or something, standing next to her.

She looked down to see a funny looking creature made of parchment paper.

“Who are you?” she exclaimed.

“I am the Constitution,” the creature replied.

“What is that?” Bianca wondered.

“I am the document, or important paper, that sets up the rules and laws for the United States of America. I am very

special!”

“Okay… where are we?” Bianca asked.

“We are in Philadelphia! The year is 1787!”

Pull out your atlas and find Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania on your United States map

Use your mental math to figure out about how long ago 1787 was.

“I brought you here, to Independence Hall, to show you how important and fun it is to study our country. Let’s take a peak inside to see what is going on”

Independence Hall is old but not as old as some of the buildings we have in St. Augustine. Compare and contrast how it looks and what it is made of to some of our structures like the Castillo de San Marcos.

“It has been a long, hot summer,” The Constitution continued.

“I can’t imagine wearing those outfits without any air-conditioning!” Bianca noticed.

What do you notice about the people in this room? Who is being left out of the conversatioN? How does that make you feel? How have times changed since 1787?

“Yes! There has been lots of arguing over me and what to write down to create rules for the United States government. These people writing me are called Framers. You may recognize some of them.”

“I see Benjamin Franklin and George Washington!”

“One of the biggest things they decided to do was to create a president of the United States, Congress, and the Supreme Court. They divided up power so not one part could be too powerful”

“I can see why they would do that after being under the control of the King of England!” Bianca said.

“Great connection! Now let’s learn about the different parts of me.”

What are some of our classroom and school rules? Do you feel like we share power and responsibilities here at school?

“The first part of me is called the Preamble”

“Ah! I know ‘pre’ means before so that makes sense!” Bianca said.

“Another good connection! The Preamble is the first part and that tells why they wrote me. You might enjoy this fun song to hear and learn the Preamble. It is easy and fun to memorize!The next part sets up the government, like we just talked about and finally there is the Bill of Rights and the other amendments.”

“You have many parts!” Bianca observed.

“The Framers realized that they did not add all the Rights—”

“Not the opposite of left?” Bianca asked.

“No, silly! Rights are things that all people should have, like how you have the right to go to schooland feel safe there. It is special that our countrymade a list of rights and protects them. The Framers made sure that things could be added to me. These are called amendments. The first ten amendmentsto me are called the Bill of Rights. “

“What do they say?” Bianca wondered.

“They say many things that you will be learning about this week in class. They say you are allowed to go to any church you want, gather in groups with your friends, read and write in newspapers, and think for yourself. ”

“What do some of the other amendments say?” Bianca asked.

“I wasn’t written perfectly the first time around so many other important things had to be added to me later. Three of those included getting rid of slavery, giving black men the right to vote and giving all women the right to vote.”

“Wow! Those sure are important. I am glad they were amended to you.”

“Yes! It is still possible to add amendments to me. If you feel like I am missing an important right then you very well could fight for an amendment one day!”

What would you add to the Constitution?

“Well Bianca, it is time for us to travel back to 2013 and for you to go back to class.”

“Thank you, Constitution, for such a fun day learning about you! I can’t wait to tell all my friends about our time together!”

The End

Think about our essential question…

Find your level of understanding:

“I have never heard of the Constitution and I do not know what Rights are.”

“I have heard these words before but don’t know what they mean.”

“I know what the Constitution is and can describe a Right and name one that is in the Constitution.”

“I can describe the Constitution, its purpose and how it was written. I know what a right is and can name two that are in the Constitution. I can also teach a buddy about this. ”

Key Vocabulary• Constitution• Preamble • document• amendment• rights• Framers of the Constitution• independence

Places to Know• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania• Independence Hall