Last week, we celebrated Constitution Day with thousands of students, educators, families, and lifelong learners across the country both in person at the Center and virtually. This civic holiday is one of the best opportunities to focus on engaging with the founding documents. But the true impact of Constitution Day lies in what happens after September 17, when we carry forward its lessons and invite students to go deeper in examining the historical context and uncovering their enduring relevance today.

This week, continue that exploration by sharing this powerful conversation between Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch and Justice Stephen G. Breyer, Ret., as they reflect on how the founding documents continue to shape the words and ideals—we live by. This video is part of our newest digital resource, the America at 250 Civic Toolkit.

If you missed our live programming on Constitution Day, you can view the recordings below:

• Student Town Hall: A Conversation with Benjamin Franklin and Carol Berkin
• Launch of the America at 250 Civic Toolkit

Constitution 101 for Middle School

Unbox Constitution Curiosity in Your Classroom

Explore the brand-new, free version of our popular Constitution 101 Curriculum designed specifically for middle school students.

This teacher-led curriculum expands upon our established high school courses, offering 15 modules that will lead middle school students through the process of inquiry to build their own understanding of the Constitution. Every module is filled with materials that will inspire student engagement. See what’s inside below, and explore each component further in the Course Guide:

• Key questions to drive inquiry
• Activate prior knowledge ideas to build connections
• Vocabulary supports to scaffold learning
• Unboxing the Constitution animated videos to increase engagement with constitutional topics, narrated by main character and guide, Lucy
• Inside the Constitution videos to break down constitutional topics with Lucy and NCC President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen
• Student activities to encourage individual and collaborative learning
• Civic connections and learning projects to deepen knowledge

The Latest Constitution Daily Blog

What the Constitution says about free speech on the airwaves

By Scott Bomboy | Read time: 4 minutes

“Recent comments from television comedian Jimmy Kimmel and his show’s suspension on ABC have brought attention to a First Amendment debate about freedom of speech on broadcast television stations. …”

Learn About NCC Protocols

An Introduction to NCC Protocols

Tuesday, September 23 | 7–8 p.m. ET

During this free introductory session, educators will get an overview of the new NCC protocols for implementing our resources in their classrooms.

Educators will use the Window Notes NCC protocol to analyze the Declaration of Independence and then engage in the Consensogram NCC protocol to dialogue about the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Through hands-on application, this session will support the implementation of the National Constitution Center’s educational framework in their classrooms.

Upcoming Events and Professional Learning

🗓️ America's Town Hall: Our Fragile Freedoms

Wednesday, September 24 | Noon ET

Online

Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Eric Foner discusses Our Fragile Freedoms, a new collection of essays exploring a range of topics, including debates over slavery and antislavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, Jim Crow and the battle to dismantle it, and modern debates over the Constitution and how to teach American history. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

🗓️ Monthly Virtual Professional Learning Session: Voting Rights

Wednesday, October 15 | 6:30-8 p.m. ET

In this session, participants will explore the right to vote throughout history and work to answer several key questions about voting rights in America. Join us as scholar Pamela Karlan addresses the ways in which the Constitution protects the right to vote, how the amendment process has shaped voting rights, and Supreme Court decisions dealing with the right to vote. Rebecca Smart, a member of the Center’s Teacher Advisory Board, will guide participants through resources to lead conversations on voting rights in the classroom.

Connect With Us

Constitution 101 | Professional Learning | Virtual Student Programs | Events Calendar 

About the National Constitution Center’s Educational Resources 

The National Constitution Center provides K-12 curriculum, professional learning, and student programs that make constitutional education engaging and relevant. Learn more at: constitutioncenter.org/education.

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