The U.S. Constitution: What Does it say and Why Do I Care?
This 10-week course takes students through the U.S. Constitution from the preamble to the amendments and discusses what it says in plain English and why it still matters to their 21st-century lives.
Tricia Netzley
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(206)
What's included
10 live meetings
9 hrs 10 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
In this course, students will examine the U.S. Constitution to gain an understanding of what it says and how it still impacts their lives today. The course will begin with a discussion of the state of the country at the time when the founding fathers drafted the document and then continue with a study of each section from the preamble all the way through the amendments. Each class session, students will read a portion of the Constitution together, moving slowly through the 7 articles and the 27 amendments. Students will define challenging vocabulary and determine what each section means. They will then discuss why each section is still relevant today and how it affects modern-day politics. Students will have access to note taking worksheets corresponding with each week's topic so that, at the conclusion of the course, they will have a final project to look back at to help them remember and share what they have learned throughout the course. While the lessons will be guided, and the material will be thoroughly explained, students will be encouraged to think critically about the information and what it means to them as individuals as well as to society as a whole. Participation in class discussions will be key for student success in this course. Note: This class will discuss historical politics and why they still matter today. However, the discussion will be in general terms and will *not* deal with specific current events or political opinions. Course outline Week 1. The Framers of the Constitution and why it was needed. The preamble. Article I PT 1. Week 2. Article I PT 2 and Article II PT 1 Week 3. Article II PT2 and Articles III and IV Week 4. Articles V, Vi, and VII. Week 5. Ratification and review. Week 6. The Bill of Rights PT 1 Week 7. The Bill of Rights PT 2 Week 8. Amendments 11-18. Week 9. Amendments 19-27. Week 10. Review and wrap up. Note: Weeks 5 and 10 are built into the course as review weeks, but depending on student involvement and the depth of in-class discussion, they may need to be used as extra time to catch up on prior weeks' material.
Learning Goals
Students will gain an understanding of the U.S. Constitution. They will learn what each section means and why it matters.
Other Details
Supply List
Students will be presented with a document at the beginning of class which will contain the note-taking pages for each session that will be used as the basis for the final project. They will need to have these pages printed either all up front or as needed for each class session. Students will need to provide a way to organize their papers such as a 3-pronged folder or a 3-ring binder. Students will need access to a copy of the U.S. Constitution for use during class. This can be purchased from Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Constitution-United-Delegates-Constitutional-Convention/dp/0880801441/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=pocket+constitution&qid=1581450374&sr=8-3 or may be found online at https://constitutionus.com/
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined December, 2019
4.9
206reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hi, I'm Teacher Tricia, and I'm so happy to be here on Outschool with you. I teach classes in a variety of subjects including language arts, literature, history, and life skills. As a homeschool mom of two kiddos, I have experience teaching in many different subjects and with ages ranging from early elementary through middle school. I also currently teach at a local co-op where classes are held on a once a week basis in a format very similar to that of Outschool except that I am actually in the same room as my students. In addition I attended Purdue University with a major in Elementary education and received plenty of classroom experience during my time there. I believe education should be a life-long endeavor, and I strive to learn something new everyday. It is my firm belief that when information is given in a fun and interesting way, students are much more likely to find the learning process enjoyable and to remember their classes and the subjects taught far into the future. I also ensure that each of my classes meets the needs of learners of all types. By presenting materials in many different ways and formats, I hope to be able to connect with each and every learner. I am always available if you have questions. I look forward to teaching and learning with you.Reviews
Live Group Class
$150
for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
55 min
Completed by 23 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
2-7 learners per class
