Celebrate Freedom Week
Each year, during the week that includes September 17, Texas schools honor Celebrate Freedom Week (TEC § 29.907) to highlight the values and ideals on which the United States was founded as well as the sacrifices that were made for freedom in the founding of the country. Students learn about the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights. Students also examine the relationship between the ideas in these documents and subsequent American history.
Celebrate Freedom Week coincides with Constitution Week, established by the U.S. Congress to encourage all Americans to learn about the Constitution. Both Celebrate Freedom Week and Constitution Week focus on September 17, the date in 1787 when delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution. Congress has also designated September 17 of each year as Constitution Day.
The websites below provide a variety of lessons, activities, and instructional materials for Celebrate Freedom Week and Constitution Day.
Texas Law-Related Education
The Law-Related Education (LRE) Department of the State Bar of Texas serves as a catalyst to advance law related and civic education programs throughout the state through curriculum development and educator training. Their elementary resources provide Celebrate Freedom lessons for elementary grades. The middle school and high school resources contain links to civics programs.
U.S. Senate: Constitution Day
This web page explains the significance of the U.S. Constitution and the origins of Constitution Day. Primary sources and reference materials are provided.
Observing Constitution Day
The National Archives and Records Administration celebrates this important day by presenting activities, lesson plans, and additional information. The national Archives also publishes a web page dedicated to America’s Founding Documents providing resources for the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights.
Library of Congress: Constitution Day Teacher Resources
In celebration of Constitution Day, the Library of Congress has compiled a variety of materials and resources from across its collections.
United States Courts: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
United States Courts, a website sponsored by the Federal Judiciary, has developed a resource for teachers and students to explore the significance of U.S. citizenship and naturalization.
National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center is dedicated to increasing public understanding of, and appreciation for, the Constitution, its history, and its contemporary relevance. The center offers innovative, engaging lesson plans, activities, and other materials related to Constitution Day.
Drafting the Declaration: the Jefferson Desk and the Declaration of Independence
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History preserves objects and archival collections that explore fundamental American ideals and ideas. Their History Explorer web page can be used to search for lessons and activities from any era in United States History.
Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government
The United States Government Publishing Office maintains the Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government website to inform students, parents, and educators about the federal government.
Teacher's Guide: Commemorating Constitution Day
The National Endowment for the Humanities provides a teacher’s guide with lesson plans and resources to help students learn about the framework of our constitutional republic.