Your Uncle Sam has invented a machine for traveling through time. For Constitution Day you have the privilege of going back in history to find out more about our nation's early days. Click the Time Travel button when you are prepared to go! When your uncle's machine is ready, click on 1778 to travel back in time. Complete the activities and click the back button to return and find out your task.

Welcome Back!

I'm glad you returned safely! On your first time travel mission, you learned a little about the Revolutionary War... the clothes they wore, equipment the soldiers might need. Did you notice that they had trouble paying for the pie because they were in a different state and they had different money than the farmer? Our founding fathers had to create a plan that would unite the states, which included what kind of money to use! This was a huge responsibility. When you complete your Time Travel Tasks, you will better understand how and why our Constitution was written. You should choose FIVE of the following tasks:

1. Memorize the Preamble to the Constitution.

2. Write a five-paragraph theme about one of the founding fathers. Tell why you chose him.

3. Draw and color a map of one of the states that ratified the Constitution and include seven facts about your choice. Tell why you chose that state.

4. Make a poster illustrating the branches of U.S. government. If you prefer to use the computer, you may design your project in Kidspiration or Inspiration.

5. Read lyrics and/or listen to several American songs. In your own words, write a paragraph that tells what it means to be patriotic. How do these songs make you feel? Why do you think we stand when the National Anthem is played?

6. Choose three symbols of U.S. Government and make a sign about them using Kidpix or the software of your choice.

7. Write a book report on Shh! We're Writing the Constitution, by Jean Fritz. Compare the book with the song in your music textbook by the same title.

8. Write a script for a Readers' Theater based on the song, Shh! We're Writing the Constitution by Carmino Ravosa. Perform for a first grade class with your friends.

Task 1. Memorize the Preamble to the Constitution.

1. Sing along with the Preamble Song from Schoolhouse Rock.

2. Read about the Constitution with Benjamin Franklin as your guide.

3. Can you unscramble the Preamble in this puzzle activity? Try the Preamble Scramble!

4. Now you should be able to help Ben Franklin put the Preamble back together in yet another Preamble Scramble!

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Task 2. Write a five-paragraph theme about one of the founding fathers. Tell why you chose him.

Founding Father FAQ's

Founding Fathers Clip Art

Click on Constitution Quiz to hear a Founding Father talk about the Constitution. The question changes each week.

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Task 3. Draw and color a map of one of the states that ratified the Constitution and include seven facts about your choice. Tell why you chose that state.

• Once again, Ben Franklin can help you on your quest for information with Quick Facts about the States!

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Task 4. Make a poster illustrating the branches of U.S. government. If you prefer to use the computer, you may design your project in Kidspiration or Inspiration.

Task 5. Read lyrics and/or listen to some patriotic songs. In your own words, write a paragraph that tells what it means to be patriotic. How do these songs make you feel? Why do you think we stand when the National Anthem is played?

America

America, the Beautiful

The Star-Spangled Banner

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Task 6. Choose three symbols of U.S. Government and make a sign about them using Kidpix or the software of your choice.

1. Ben Franklin has a list of links to many of our national symbols.

2. Here's a great game about the symbols of the United States of America.

3. Try this game about the Pledge of Allegiance!

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7. Write a book report on Shh! We're Writing the Constitution, by Jean Fritz. Compare the book with the song by the same title in your music textbook.

• Read the book. Compare it to the song. You may choose the format of your book report.

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8. Write a script for a Readers' Theater based on the song, Shh! We're Writing the Constitution by Carmino Ravosa. Perform for a first grade class with your friends. (See your teacher to schedule a performance time.)

• Listen to the CD in Music Class. Learn the song first. Think about the founding fathers task and how they would have discussed the issues and tried to come to some kind of agreement that would benefit all the states. Write what you think they would have said, and create your script! Have fun!

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The Time Machine

http://www.usmint.gov/kids/timeMachine/begin.cfm

Ben's Guide to U.S. Government (Grades 3-5)

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/index.html

All graphics of "Ben" and many of the activities are courtesy of the website above.

Ben has a glossary in case you need help!

Founding Father FAQ's

The Preamble Song from Schoolhouse Rock

http://www.school-house-rock.com/Prea.html

Founding Fathers Clipart

http://www.historyimages.com/founding-fathers/clipart.html

Law Focused Education, Inc.has several games and the Constitution Quiz.

http://www.texaslre.org/#

Shh! We're Writing the Constitution, by Jean Fritz, illustrated by Tomie dePaola, 1987.

Shh! We're Writing the Constitution, by Carmino Ravosa, The Music Connection (Grade 5), Silver Burdett Ginn, 2000.

Congratulations on completing your Time Travels! I hope you know the Preamble to the Constitution now. Hopefully you have learned more about why the Constitution was written and how it united the states into one nation, and created a government whose branches have different jobs and balance each other's power. If you want to do more Time Traveling, Uncle Sam says you can check out other periods of our history any time you want!

Check out this game!

On this page find the link for a Constitution Relay!