Preamble to the Constitution Activity Bundle - for Civics & American History

This Preamble to the Constitution Activity Bundle includes FOUR resources related to the Preamble: an annotated close read of the Preamble, with engaging margin questions that guide students through the historic document; a "government-in-action" review worksheet that applies the Preamble's six goals of government to actual examples of our Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches at work today; and a creative one-pager activity, where students interpret and illustrate the Preamble!

Aligned to the Florida State Standard for Middle School Civics, SS.7.CG.1.8, Explain the Purpose of the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, this bundle has everything you need for an engaging, enriching lesson on the Preamble to the Constitution in your middle or high school Civics, American Government, or American History classroom!

This bundle includes:

✯ Preamble the Constitution Annotated Close Read | for Civics & American History

In this Preamble Annotated Close Read, students carefully read through the first sentence of the United States Constitution, guided by margin notes that help test understanding of key terms and concepts. Students also highlight the six different goals of government, then rewrite those goals in their own words.

Margin questions include:

• What does it mean to “form a more perfect Union”?
• Which goal of government might a national court system fulfill?
• Rewrite “secure the Blessings of Liberty to our posterity” in your own words.

✯ Government In Action | Preamble to the Constitution Activity

A great follow-up review for the Annotated Close Read, this Government in Action Worksheet has students connect examples of real government action to the various purposes of government listed in the Preamble, from ”establish Justice” and “insure domestic Tranquility” to securing the “Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity”!

Examples include:

• The President of the United States appoints federal judges who, once approved by the Senate, will preside over District Courts and U.S. Courts of Appeal in lifelong terms. (Establish Justice)
• After Shays’ Rebellion proved the Articles of Confederation wasn’t working, the Founding Fathers gathered at the Constitutional Convention to create a new, better government. (Form a more perfect Union)
• In 1998, the Supreme Court settled New York v. New Jersey, a dispute between the two states over which one of them owned Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. (insure domestic Tranquility)

✯ Preamble to the Constitution Scenario Match: Practice for Civics and History!

This Matching Activity (with a bonus Short Essay Response) asks students to apply real-life examples of government action, both historical and current, to the six goals of government laid out in the Preamble.

Scenarios include:

• In 1969, as the war in Vietnam wore on and the armed forces needed more soldiers to protect American interests, the United States instated a mandatory military draft, where young men were chosen via a random lottery for compulsory military service. (This card matches to the goal, "Provide for the Common Defense")
• In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Medicare program, which provides health insurance for all Americans over the age of 65, as well as certain people with disabilities. (This card matches to the goal, "Promote the General Welfare")
• In November of 2019, Congress passed the PACT Act, which makes animal cruelty a federal crime, assuring a felony conviction, fines, and up to seven years in prison for anyone who severely harms an animal. (This card corresponds to the goal, "Establish Justice")

This activity allows students to think critically about how real actions by the U.S. government fulfill the various goals of government laid out in the Preamble, showing the Constitution at work throughout history.

✯ We the People | Preamble to the Constitution One Pager Activity

Finally, this We the People Preamble One Pager is a creative activity that makes for a great culminating project for your Preamble unit. Students read a short passage on the purpose of the Preamble and the importance of its first three words “We the People” in establishing our government as a democracy. They underline or highlight each of the six goals of government laid out in the Preamble, then using the One-Pager Template, illustrate each of these goals, using their creativity to demonstrate their comprehension!

This bundle comes as a .Zip folder, includes non-editable printable PDFs and both Anwer Keys and Samples. Most resources are also available as TPT Easel digital activities, which can be assigned directly to Google Classroom or shared with your students via a link!

Other Happy Teacher Resources you might enjoy:

✩ Articles of Confederation Activity BUNDLE | for Civics & American History

✩ Declaration of Independence Activities Bundle | Civics & American Government

✩ Foundations of American Government: Influential Documents BUNDLE!

✩ Civics: Citizenship & Civic Obligations Unit Bundle | 11 Resources!