by Angela Lasch
Sep 16, 2025
The U.S. Constitution: Preamble
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defence, 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."
I love quotes. Here are some of my favorites related to the Constitution:
"The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the Divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power." —Alexander Hamilton, 1775
At the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked, "What have you wrought?" He answered, "A republic, if you can keep it."
One of my favorite homeschool memories was playing games with my boys, and one of my favorite games to play was The Constitution Quest Game. It wasn't always my boys' favorite game, but I loved it and still try to play it at least once a year in honor of Constitution Day.
What is Constitution Day?
Way back in 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Constitutional Convention completed our nation's founding document—the Constitution, a bold experiment for its time. In 2004, Senator Robert Byrd established a federal observance known as Constitution Day, to be observed annually on September 17, the day the Constitution was initially signed.
Why should homeschool families care about Constitution Day? "Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of government" (U.S. Senate: Constitution of the United States). Learning about Constitution Day is an excellent opportunity to teach children about the historical significance of the Constitution as well as its principles.
Hands-On Activities:
Play The Constitution Quest Game
After reading the Constitution, work together to create a family constitution
Create a visual timeline from the Articles of Confederation through ratification, including key events, dates, and figures
Biblical Connections:
Connect constitutional principles to biblical concepts
Explore how biblical worldview influenced the Founding Fathers
Discuss the relationship between religious liberty and other freedoms
Creative Projects:
Study Howard Chandler Christy's painting, The Signing of the Constitution
Have your children put on a play and act out the signing of the Constitution
Have your child pretend to be a journalist who witnessed the signing of the Constitution, and then have them write a newspaper article sharing what they witnessed
Additional Resources:
More ideas can be found at The Constitution Center. This site includes a link to read the full text of the Constitution and research primary sources.
The possibilities are endless for how you can study Constitution Day as a family. Don't forget that, included free with any CHEA membership, is a PDF download of "A Guide to U.S. Civics," which provides numerous resources, as well as California field trip ideas, founding documents, and more.
Another great website to find out more about the Constitution is Patriot Academy. All CHEA members receive a $20 off coupon in the Patriot Academy Store!
The most important thing to remember when studying any significant historical event is to make it fun and engaging. This is why you homeschool! Take the time to delve into the history and context, making it engaging through hands-on activities, because this is what will be memorable for your children, rather than just reading about the event in a book.
As homeschoolers, maintaining our freedom to educate our children at home is crucial, not just for us, but for future generations as well. As a retired homeschooling mom, I'm deeply grateful to all those who fought before me to ensure my parental rights and the right to educate my boys at home. These rights are just as important to me now, as they provide my children with the ability to homeschool their own children, for as many generations as they choose.
