The Constitution in school - Page 2

[moondiapers]

In CA it's taught in 8th grade, and again in 12th And they go pretty in depth to prepare the next generation of voters.

[mtiger]

My daughter is a Junior at a magnet school, and they are learning about the Constitution this year in US1. From what I have seen wrt her homework, notes, etc, they are not only what the Constitution says, but how it can/could be applied. Her teacher provides examples from local, national and international news and the kids have to explain how the various events are either supported by or go against our Constitution. They debate their opinions, provide supporting documentation, etc. He really does a good job with it, IMO.

[eepster]

When I first saw this thread, I figured it was b/c a few elementary schools were so focused on the basic skills for NCLB testing that they were completely neglecting teaching history. Then I read an article about the constitutions current role in modern politics, and realized that this probably really about that.

BTW: I just couldn't help but thinking of this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIKhRERqPS4

[LynnS6]

Originally Posted by Chamomile Girl

In other words "He Who Must Not be Named" is full of hooey.

I didn't know that Voldemort had his own radio show now!

[Owen'nZoe]

Originally Posted by lauren

I think kids might tune out a bit when they are studying it because they don't understand how it is relevant. I think it's taught thoroughly though.

I have to agree! I remember studying it in American History in junior high, American History is high school, and in more depth in high school civics class. But when I covered it again in college, I still really struggled!

[fruitfulmomma]

"Other" - I have no clue what they teach in the local PS. We homeschool and would/do teach it regardless, but it is also required by state law for all homeschooled students so I imagine the same is true for the PS.

[lauren]

[I would also add that most of history (American, European, etc.) was taught in a way that I did not find relevant or interesting. I would LOVE to back and learn all of it over again now that I have lived a while and know how important history is, including whose side of the history is being told....]

but that is a digression......

[St. Margaret]

Originally Posted by MissSJ

Good question lach!
I started thinking about this too after I posted the first post. On further thought I think when she says Constitution she means - the freedoms in the Constitution/Bill of Rights, the historical context, the issues surrounding the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, the writing of the Constitution and the issues surrounding it, the founders, the Bill of Rights, Federalists/Anti-federalists, etc. To be honest, MIL is parroting what she hears from a certain political personality whom shall not be named since I do not want to derail the thread. Basically she truly believes these things are not taught in schools today.

I remember learning these things in school little by little culminating in American History in 11th grade and American Government in 12th - both required to graduate. To be honest I didn't remember many specifics (seems so long ago!) but I now have an interest and am taking a college course in American History.

We learned ALL about ALL of this in school (in CA public school). Repeatedly, which was nice, so it could sink in and I could understand it better as I matured. It's the new Texas state standards that have erased plenty of what was taught back in the day . But it's still definitely in the CA state standards.

[sewchris2642]

Originally Posted by Chamomile Girl

Well, I voted other because I agree with two of the answers. In California high schools the Constutition is taught during senior year as part of the Poli-Sci/Econ Social Studies curriculum. I believe the thinking here is to teach it as late as possible so that it is retained, and so that students are immersed in it right before they are released onto the world as voters. But at the same time I wish students learned it earlier...because as a World History teacher myself (sophomore year) not having that context to draw upon is often problamatic.

The way it is taught will vary considerably teacher to teacher, so I can't say much to that.

The teaching on the Constitution is started in 5th grade, continues in 8th and 11th grade, ending with a semester on US civics in 12th grade in CA .http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/docum...ocsciframe.pdf I voted to my satisfaction but we discuss the Constitution as well as US history, politics, world history, etc in our house regularly. Both as it is brought up in school as well as in other context (TV, movies, election campaigning, etc.). We are all history buffs.

[emilysmama]

I'm not going to answer the poll because my dd is too young. But my 1st grade dd came home from school a few weeks ago on "Constitution Day". She could tell me that the Constitution began with the Preamble, she could tell me how many articles were in the constitution, and she could tell me that there were amendments in the Constitution. However, she could not tell me what a Preamble is, nor gave any indication that she had even seen the Constitution's Preamble. She had no idea what an article was, let alone what the articles of the Constitution stated. I was actually a little bit upset that they were trying teach my first grade daughter about the Constitution without trying to get her to understand what the Constitution was trying to accomplish. In my mind, I don't think it is helpful to teach meaningless factoids without teaching the meaning at the heart of the Constitution. So perhaps first grade might be a tad early. The entire school apparently learned something about the Constitution that day, so I have hopes that she'll learn more as the years progress.

[Kushali]

Around here US History is taught in 4th or 5th grade, 8th grade, and 11th grade. Some schools offer a government or civics class in high school but it isn't a state standard.

In all those classes they at least touch on the constitutional congress and the more famous amendments (Bill of Rights, 13th, 18th, 19th etc). As the students get older they go into more depth discussing why an amendment was passed, how it changed society, and any relevant case law. Its also common to talk about how the amendments are still being cited in court cases today.

That said, I know some folks feel that you should memorize it or study it in isolation (be able to state what any amendment is about given the number). I feel that if you have enough understanding of the founding documents to have an intelligent discussion about history or politics you're doing fine. You don't have to know that Amendment 8 bans cruel and unusual punishment, you just need to know that its banned and why the founding fathers thought it was important to add it.

[Thalia the Muse]

I didn't answer the poll either, because my kid is also too young. However, in second grade they did some work with the three branches of government and talked a LOT about the election -- had several mock elections, talked about what voting means.

I think they get American history in fifth, and California history in fourth.

Honestly, how young a kid SHOULD be taught about the Constitution? I don't think pre-adolescents are going to understand or retain much, it's pretty abstract. Before Junior High, I think "Revolutionary war, wanted to be indpendent from England and have a democracy (of course not everyone who wanted the first wanted the second, but then you're getting into a level of detail that may be beyond young kids), what voting means" is sufficient.

[Drummer's Wife]

My DD is learning about it now - she is in 4th grade. She has taught me a few things about the constitution and about the levels of congress, to be honest. I really think she is enjoying this unit. My mom was even involved, b/c the kids sent out letters asking family/friends in other states to send a postcard and write out info regarding the constitution that they wanted to share - then the students read them to the class and hung them up around the school. It's neat to see the various pieces of information that people contributed from around the country.

[Emmeline II]

I only remember it being seriously addressed in my AP U.S. History class.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by LynnS6

I didn't know that Voldemort had his own radio show now!

He's does! It's on AM. Once the dark side overthrows the light, then we go on FM, and we'll know we've really made it.

Originally Posted by Thalia the Muse

Honestly, how young a kid SHOULD be taught about the Constitution? I don't think pre-adolescents are going to understand or retain much, it's pretty abstract.

I really felt for my DD's 7th grade SS teacher, who was trying to do a good job with the deeper issues of the constitution with a bunch of hormonal adolescents, half of whom couldn't remember their bring their book, notes, and a pen every day, and who mostly just wanted to go to lunch, which was the next period.

[ecoteat]

It is a federal law that at a minimum all students in all grades in federally-funded schools recieve a lesson on the constitution on September 17. Beyond that I'm pretty sure all states have grade-specific requirements for learning about the constitution in greater depth somewhere along the way.