Texas has the right idea – Celebrate Freedom Week

Editor’s Note this is from the Texas Education Agency.  Our own California Department of Education could, excuse the pun, learn a lesson from this.

Each year, during the week that includes September 17, Texas schools honor Celebrate Freedom Week (TEC § 29.907) to highlight the values and ideals on which the United States was founded as well as the sacrifices that were made for freedom in the founding of the country. Students learn about the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.  Students also examine the relationship between the ideas in these documents and subsequent American history. 

Celebrate Freedom Week coincides with Constitution Week, established by the U.S. Congress to encourage all Americans to learn about the Constitution. Both Celebrate Freedom Week and Constitution Week focus on September 17, the date in 1787 when delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution. Congress has also designated September 17 of each year as Constitution Day.  

The websites below provide a variety of lessons, activities, and instructional materials for Celebrate Freedom Week and Constitution Day. 

United States Senate: Constitution Day 
This web page explains the significance of the U.S. Constitution and the origins of Constitution Day.  Primary sources and reference materials are provided. 

Observing Constitution Day 
The National Archives and Records Administration celebrates this important day by presenting activities, lesson plans, and additional information. 

Library of Congress: Constitution Day Teacher Resources 
In celebration of Constitution Day, the Library of Congress has compiled a variety of materials and resources from across its collections.

Teachinghistory.org:Constitution Day  
With funding from the U.S. Department of Education, the Center for History and New Media (CHNM) has created Teachinghistory.org with the goal of making history content, teaching strategies, resources, and research accessible. The website includes a wealth of Constitution Day resources.

United States Courts: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day 
United States Courts, a website sponsored by the Federal Judiciary, has developed a resource for teachers and students to explore the significance of U.S. citizenship and naturalization.

National Constitution Center 
The National Constitution Center is dedicated to increasing public understanding of, and appreciation for, the Constitution, its history, and its contemporary relevance. The center offers innovative, engaging lesson plans, activities, and other materials related to the Constitution.

Drafting the Declaration: the Jefferson Desk and the Declaration of Independence 
From the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, this website provides a lesson plan, primary sources, and activities to explore the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.

Liberty: The American Revolution 
This site on the American Revolution is a companion to the award-winning series produced by PBS. It contains educational resources such as a timeline of the Revolution, bibliographies, links to related sites, and lesson plans.

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