We the People

Our Constitution. Our History. Our Future.

About Hub

The "We the People" Constitution Hub is a public digital collection of curated Civics and History resources to help you gain a deeper knowledge of your civic rights and responsibilities, as well as the history and practical implementation of the Constitution. It is free with no subscription required. Educators have access to different lesson plans, many of which you can download in different formats or edit to fit your standards or objectives. From videos and interactive timelines to quizzes, assessments and classroom discussion exercises, “We the People” offers enriching activities for every learning style. You can also share and use lessons and resources, and collaborate with fellow educators from across the country!

 Want to schedule a live virtual classroom session with educators at a participating “We the People” site? Click here for more information. As with all “We the People” resources, the opportunity to engage with our educators is absolutely free. 

 Member organizations in the “We the People” Consortium include the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, the White House Historical Association, the National Archives and Records Administration, President’s Park/White House Visitor Center (National Park Service), and the George Mason Memorial (National Park Service). 

 

Civics & U.S. History Lessons For First-Year Teachers


Signing of the Declaration of Independence

Welcome

Article 1 Legislative Branch

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Article 2 Executive Branch

The Executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.

Article 3 Judicial Branch

The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Teaching the Constitution through Theater

Preview StoryWorks: Now’s The Time

StoryWorks Now’s The Time written by Jean P. Bordewich is a filmed performance that opens at the dawn of Reconstruction, the Civil War has just ended but the nation is plunged again into crisis with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Andrew Johnson ascends to the Presidency determined to restore white supremacy in the South. Congressional radicals led by Thaddeus Stevens are fighting for a different vision. They intend to create a new society of full racial equality, where Black Americans will have real economic and political power, including ownership of land confiscated from the rebels, education, suffrage and election to public office. This titanic political battle between President and Congress culminates in the first impeachment and trial of a U.S. president, and to more than 150 years of continuing violence and discrimination against Black Americans.

 

View the corresponding curriculum for implementing Now’s The Time in your classroom.

Preview StoryWorks: Beautiful Agitators

StoryWorks Beautiful Agitators is a virtual play reading about Vera Mae Pigee, a hair stylist and business owner in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and one of the unsung heroes of the civil rights era. Using her beauty parlor as a hub for Delta-based organizing and resistance, Pigee operated her salon by day and then transformed it into a clandestine center for civil rights organization and education in the evenings. Known for her big hats and larger than life personality, Mrs. Pigee led the direct action that registered nearly 6,000 African Americans to vote in the region. Although Pigee was largely left out of the history books, along with many women of the movement, this abridged version of Beautiful Agitators and accompanying curriculum revives her legacy, highlighting her methods and tactics.

View the corresponding curriculum for implementing Beautiful Agitators in your classroom.

 

U.S. Constitution

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Tutorials

Open Author

Get started using our OER authoring tool, Open Author. This video walks you through how to author and remix; including how to add and format content, import and attach resources, embed media, add co-authors, check for accessibility, describe your resource, select a license, align to standards, publish, and download.

Created by ISKME. Licensed Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.