Homeschooling with the United States Constitution

Understanding and celebrating the United States Constitution is important, and it’s fun! America celebrates Constitution Day each year on September 17, commemorating the year (1787) that the United States formed its official government. And while scores of Americans (young and old) call it an outdated document, you can teach your kids the truth about its relevance and importance today.

My recommendations are great for an annual celebration on Constitution Day or to integrate with your American history studies! In our homeschool, I teach government alongside the American Revolution and Constitutional Convention. It’s so helpful to understand the people and the times that inspired the United States Constitution!

I prefer to combine world and American history together, giving my kids the big picture. Here’s an example. We use Mystery of History for our world history studies. In Volume III, we begin to add in supplemental resources for American history, which you can read about here. You can also include these resources with a high school Government curriculum.

I’ve included links to many helpful videos, blog posts, courses, and books, and they are for a wide range of ages. An understanding of the Constitution is a lifelong pursuit, so don’t feel pressured to use all of these resources in one year or for one age. Pick what you can implement now, and save the rest of the ideas for later.

Resources

This post contains some affiliate links.

Everyone should start with the actual Constitution. It’s not too long, and it’s not too complicated. I think people are afraid of old documents, but don’t be! It’s available to download all over the internet, and numerous organizations give away little pocket-sized books free. Help your children to be acquainted and comfortable with this valuable document.

If you’re reading this before Constitution Day, check out the live, online event by Constituting America. It’s an organization designed to educate American kids (created by actress Janine Turner). There are lots of educational resources on the website, including lesson plans, videos, quizzes, and even an escape room!

The Classical Historian has a fun Constitution Go-Fish! I can vouch for these card games. We have used several of them, and my kids don’t seem to grow out of them.

Videos

You can’t go wrong with the Schoolhouse Rock song Preamble to the Constitution (or all of America Rock). I’ve been using our DVD of Schoolhouse Rock songs in our homeschool for years!

For the whole family, A More Perfect Union: George Washington and the Making of the Constitution is a dramatized documentary.

Prager Kids has several videos for elementary and middle school students that explain various parts of the Constitution. And for teens and adults, Prager U has even more (and they’re all short!).

Tuttle Twins TV has cartoons on many topics, including free speech, socialism, and a lot more. They’re all worth watching.

Books for young children

Jean Fritz books are all wonderful, including Shh! We’re writing the Constitution.

55 Men: The Story of the Constitution

More Perfect Union

We the People

The Tuttle Twins Books are a really great blend of civics and economics for kids. I highly recommend them!

A note about the “What was…?”/”Who was…?”/”What is…?” series

I have picked up a few of these and read them. They are some of the worst examples of modern history books for kids! See my comparison of children’s books about George Washington here. These books are based on other modern children’s books, which is a shoddy way to write. Even a short, colorful children’s book about a historic person or event can still cite primary sources, and not 21st century children’s books. Do your kids a favor and avoid this series.

Books for teens and adults

I added adults to this category because, let’s face it, many adults received a substandard education about the Constitution, or forgot everything they learned. If you feel inadequate to teach your children about it, learn alongside them! Dig into some of these books on your own!

The Origins of American Constitutionalism is an excellent history book that takes readers back to the original settlers of the Plymouth colony and their covenants and charters.

I include several books by David Barton because he deals in primary sources. While he’s commonly called “extremely right wing,” he simply cites hundreds of sources from the Founding Fathers, including their letters, speeches, and official documents. If that’s right wing, so be it. Every single book he writes includes pages upon pages of citations.

The Federalist Papers are a valuable piece of the Constitution, as they were the explanation for so much of this document. In addition, it’s important to read and understand the Anti-Federalist papers, too. I’m including versions that make them easier to read and understand.

Tara Ross, lawyer, author, and advocate of Constitutional literacy, has a page dedicated to simplifying the Federalist Papers on her website.

Speaking of Tara Ross, watch my interview with her here:

Homeschool courses

Constitution Alive! from Patriot Academy is super informative and fun.

I offer a free outline for American Government here.

Government and Economics with the Classical Historian Online Academy.

American Civics with Michael Farris (who is a veteran in the homeschooling and homeschool-laws movement).

Hillsdale College offers a free, online course on the Constitution.

Wallbuilders has an in-person Summer Institute in the Dallas, Texas area.

Other educational resources

Download my free Constitution Copywork PDF.

Wallbuilders.com has lots to offer on this important period in American history, including articles and videos.

Understanding the vast differences between our Constitutional Republic and tyranny is extremely helpful. Teach your children the truth about communism with my suggestions here, either before or after a study on the United States Constitution.

Read my blog post called “How NOT to teach American history, and check out my list of Excellent American History Books for Kids here.

For adults and teens, I highly recommend The American Story by David Barton. The Constitution is a result of the American Revolution, and the reasons for that need to be learned and understood by all Americans. I’m writing a guide to using this book alongside Mystery of History, and it will be linked here very soon.

I hope you make use of some or all of these incredible resources over your homeschooling years!