Celebrate the Bill of Rights in Your Classroom With These Resources

The anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights is Sunday, December 15. To help students learn about the freedoms and liberties enshrined in the first 10 amendments and the impact they have on their lives, here are some recommended resources from the NCC Education team:

Constitution 101

Teacher-Led Curriculum

• Watch: The Bill of Rights
• Activity Guide: Big Ideas of the Bill of Rights

Student-Led Course on Khan Academy

• Unit 4: Video Playlist

Interactive Resources

• Constitutional Rights: Origins and Travels
• Test Your First Amendment Knowledge

Constitution Daily blog posts

• Eight basic facts about the Bill of Rights
• Five items Congress deleted from Madison’s original Bill of Rights 

The Constitution in the News: Recess Appointments

Does the Recess Appointments Clause in the Constitution grant the president the power to fill only vacancies that occur during the official recess of the Senate? 

Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution notes that: “The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session." 

Explore and discuss with new resources on the powers and limitations of recess appointments:

We the People podcast: The President’s Power to Make Recess Appointments

Constitution Daily blog: Understanding the Constitution’s Recess Appointments Clause

You’re Invited: December Events

🗓️ Scholar Exchanges: Schedule a Session

In December, featured topics include: Amending the Constitution and the Fourth Amendment.

🗓️ Live Student Programs: Signers’ Hall and Constituting Liberty: The Road to the Bill of Rights

Online | Tuesday, December 10 | Noon ET

Join us for a tour of Signers’ Hall, the iconic exhibit featuring life-size statues of the 42 men who gathered in Philadelphia for the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787 and the rare documents on display in our Constituting Liberty exhibit.

🗓️ Civic Holidays: Bill of Rights Day

In-Person | Sunday, December 15 | 10 a.m.–7 p.m. ET

Join us at the Center for the anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, Sunday, December 15. Admission is free and the museum is open for extended hours, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

🗓️ Free Professional Learning: Bill of Rights and Amending the Constitution

Online | Wednesday, December 18 | 6:30 p.m. ET

Discover how constitutional amendments have shaped the nation, from the Bill of Rights to more recent changes.

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The National Constitution Center's education team is here to help. Email [email protected] with questions or comments.

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