Big ideas. A little help from The Brontos.
Celebrate Constitution Day with activities for grades 3–5 that connect rights, responsibilities, and government to everyday life.
Explore selected Bill of Rights workbooks, try a short classroom lesson, and discover free resources from the National Archives.
We the People
What do these three words mean to your classroom?
Rights Worth Exploring
Begin with the Constitution itself, then introduce the Bill of Rights: its first ten amendments. These selected resources bring the topic into focus without asking students to tackle all ten amendments in one sitting.
The First Amendment
Explore speech, religion, the press, peaceful assembly, and petition. The Brontos Rights Explorer workbook offers a starting point for conversations about expressing ideas and respecting others.
View the Workbook on Etsy | Paid Lesson Plans and Student Worksheets
The Bill of Rights Collection
Choose from ten amendment lessons with vocabulary worksheets, puzzles, thoughtful questions, and a Rights Explorer achievement certificate. Preview each listing to select the right reading level for your learners.
Use the National Archives’ Constitution Day resources to introduce the original document. Select a short passage or image to explore together, with teacher guidance.
Explore National Archives Resources →
30-Minute Constitution Day Lesson
Use these activities directly from this page. You’ll need paper, pencils, and a board or shared writing space.
Read the Founding Documents at the National Archives →
- Wonder Together · 5 Minutes
Ask: “Why does a community need rules?” Gather examples.
Explain: The Constitution establishes the framework of the U.S. government. Constitution Day marks its signing on September 17, 1787. - Explore a Right · 10 Minutes
Introduce the First Amendment’s protection of speech from government interference.
Discuss: “How can people share different opinions respectfully?” Clarify that classroom rules and constitutional protections are different. - Build a Classroom Agreement · 10 Minutes
In pairs, propose one agreement that helps everyone learn and participate. Share ideas and choose three together. Use this as an analogy for making shared rules, rather than a complete model of the Constitution. - Make It Stick · 5 Minutes
Review: “The Constitution helps organize ____. One freedom I learned about is ____. One question I still have is ____.”
Constitution Day Q & A
When is Constitution Day?
Constitution Day is September 17. It commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. These activities also work within a year-round civics or U.S. history unit.
Are the resources free?
The activity plan on this page and the linked National Archives materials are free to use. The Brontos printable workbooks are paid digital products sold on Etsy.
See each listing for current pricing, and contents. Most amendment bundles ar $2.95 for download files. Print as many copies as needed.
Is the Bill of Rights the same as the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights is part of the Constitution: Start with the Constitution’s role in organizing government, then use the workbooks to explore individual rights and limits on government.
Can I use these ideas for homeschool?
Yes. Turn pair work into a family discussion, create a shared learning agreement, and adapt the writing task to your child’s reading level.
Give Big Ideas a Friendly Face.
Explore rights and freedoms alongside The Brontos with the Bill of Rights Explorer workbooks.
Visit The Brontos Collection on Etsy →
Teaching reference:
National Archives: Observing Constitution Day .
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