If you are looking for Constitution Day activities for your 5th graders, you’ve come to the right place!

As you probably know, Constitution Day must be recognized in mid-September in public schools.

Of course, it’s great to hear that schools are talking with students about the Constitution… BUT I prefer to teach the Constitution when it comes up chronologically in my social studies curriculum.

So, what can a teacher do?

I find that it’s best to celebrate Constitution Day with a quick overview of the Constitution, Preamble, Branches of Government, and Bill of Rights.

The time I have available every year differs, but I try to squeeze in at least a couple of the engaging activities described below.

You probably won’t have time to use each of these activities, and that’s ok! Save them for when you teach the Constitution chronologically in your curriculum.

🌟 If you are looking for a comprehensive post on how I teach the U.S. Constitution, you’ll definitely want to check this one out: Tips for Teaching the Constitution in Upper Elementary

Constitution Day Activity #1: Use a read-aloud book to provide an overview of the Constitution!

A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution by Betsy Maestro is an amazing book to use as an overview of why and how the Constitution was written. It reads like a story book and is relatable to upper elementary students.

Read Aloud, Then Do a Movement Activity

First, read the book aloud, pausing occasionally to ask questions to make sure students understand the events.

Second, lead students in a movement activity. I recommend the simple, but fun, Stand Up / Sit Down game.

The game is easy to play and there are no materials required. 🙌🏼

Read each statement one at a time. If the statement is true, students will stand.

If the statement is false, students will remain seated and make a “thumbs down” sign. Ask volunteers to briefly explain how to correct the false statements.

Stand Up / Sit Down Game Statements – Use with A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution by Betsy Maestro

1. The Constitutional Convention was held in the same building where the Declaration of Independence was signed. (True)
2. Alexander Hamilton was the first delegate to sign his name on the Constitution. (False, George Washington signed his name first.)
3. The men who wrote the Constitution believed that the power of the government should come from the people. (True)
4. George Washington was present at the Constitutional Convention. (True)
5. During the Constitutional Convention, everyone agreed and the process of writing the Constitution was simple. (False, There were many arguments and disagreements during the convention.)
6. Although he wasn’t sure at first, Ben Franklin decided that the sun on George Washington’s chair was a rising sun. (True)
7. All of the delegates arrived at the same time. (False, They arrived at different times.)
8. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention agreed that everything discussed at the meetings would be kept secret until the convention was over. (True)
9. Every delegate at the convention signed his name to the Constitution. (False, Three of the delegates present when the Constitution was signed refused to add their names.)
10. The Bill of Rights protects the rights of Americans. (True)
11. The Constitutional Convention was held in New York City. (False, Philadelphia)
12. Before the Constitution could become law, it had to be ratified, or approved, by each state. (True)
13. There were many compromises made during the Constitutional Convention. (True)
14. George Washington is known as the Father of the Constitution. (False, James Madison)
15. Delaware was the first state to approve, or ratify, the Constitution. (True)

To see more of my favorite read-aloud books for upper elementary social social studies, click here.

Constitution Day Activity #2: Make the Preamble “Stick” in Students’ Minds!

I recommend reading this book aloud to students – We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States by David Catrow.

Before reading the book, write each phrase from the Preamble to the Constitution on a separate sheet of large chart paper or bulletin board paper and place around the classroom.

Phrases:

• We the People of the United States,
• in order to form a more perfect Union,
• establish Justice,
• insure domestic Tranquility,
• provide for the common defense,
• promote the general Welfare,
• and secure the Blessings of Liberty
• to ourselves and our Posterity
• do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America (These phrases are on two pages, but I combine them.)

For this activity, you’ll read the book aloud and harness the *power* of sticky notes to help students internalize the meaning of each phrase in the Preamble.

I’m a bit of a sticky note snob and I only use Post-It Super Sticky Notes myself, BUT regular, less expensive sticky notes, work well for student activities.

Activity Steps:

• Start reading and show students the beautiful pictures.

• Stop after each phrase, briefly explain it, and give students 30 seconds to discuss the meaning of the phrase with a partner.

• Ask students to use one sticky note for each phrase and write its meaning in his/her own words. They’ll need to place each sticky note on the correct chart paper.

Constitution Day Activity #3: Break down the responsibilities of each branch of government!

Start by showing this three minute video. Yes, we’re going old school and watching School House Rock 😆

After watching the video, discuss and display the basic responsibilities of each branch. Use the graphics below to help you:

Help students create a quick, colorful diagram. Students will need construction paper, glue, scissors, and coloring supplies.

To Make the 3 Branches of Government Diagram:

• Each student will choose one full sheet of construction paper to serve as their diagram base. Turn the paper landscape.

• Ask students to use a different colored sheet of construction paper to create a medium rectangle that stretches the width of the top of the paper. Glue this rectangle to the top of the construction paper. Write the title of the diagram on the rectangle: 3 Branches of the U.S. Government

• Ask students to cut out 3 long, thin rectangles in different colors. They can share paper scraps with classmates nearby to save paper. Label each rectangle with Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch.

• Allow them to reference the graphics (above) showing the responsibilities of each branch. They’ll use the graphics to creatively add the responsibilities of each branch to their diagrams.

Constitution Day Activity #4: Play Bill of Rights charades!

The first ten Amendments to the Constitution comprise the Bill of Rights.

These are the most impactful rights that we have as Americans.

Students should be given many opportunities to discuss and analyze the Bill of Rights.

One quick (and super fun) way to help students learn about their rights is to play charades.

How to Play Bill of Rights Charades

• First, discuss this free page, Bill of Rights in Modern Language, with students.

• Second, place students into partner pairs. Give them 3 minutes to look over the Bill of Rights in Modern Language document and choose one right to silently model for their classmates. They’ll need to plan their movements and be prepared to present.

• Finally, allow each partner pair to present their silent movements while their classmates guess which right they are presenting.

For more ideas on making the Bill of Rights applicable to your students’ lives, click here.

Constitution Day Activity #5: Use print ‘n go Constitution practice pages!

Don’t recreate the wheel. The Constitution practice pages below are free and ready to print.

These engaging activities will help students review the Preamble, Branches of Government, and Bill of Rights.

* Please note that Thrive in Grade Five (Jenifer Bazzit) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. *