Constitution in the Classroom
Bringing ACS lawyers and law students to America's schools
Volunteer to Teach a Lesson About the Constitution
Constitution in the Classroom gives lawyers and law students the opportunity to teach lessons on various constitutional topics to elementary, middle, and high school students.
ACS encourages members to get involved around Constitution Day (September 17) and Law Day (May 1), but you can organize a Constitution in the Classroom event in your community year-round! Now is a great time to organize a classroom remotely.
We are proud to partner with the National Bar Association, the League of Women Voters of Alameda, and the DC Bar Association on CITC. Be sure to check out the new, interactive trivia game for students, VerifyIt!, in the CITC lesson plans!
About CITC
“ACS’s Constitution in the Classroom project has done an outstanding job of translating constitutional values into relevant and engaging constitutional lessons for students across America. By encouraging civic participation and constitutional dialogue, it has become a symbol of the difficult work that is democracy.”
– Andrew Ferguson, Professor of Law, University of the District of Columbia, Co-Founder of Constitution in the Classroom
What is Constitution in the Classroom?
Constitution in the Classroom brings ACS members into primary and secondary classrooms to raise awareness of fundamental constitutional principles. As lawyers, law students and educators we have a resource that we can share with students: our knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution. By spending as little as one-hour teaching in a high school, middle school or elementary school classroom, you can excite young minds about their constitutional rights and responsibilities.
When is CITC?
ACS’s Constitution in the Classroom program takes place on or around Law Day in the spring and Constitution Day in the fall. Constitution Day is a federally observed holiday recognizing the adoption of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. Although we coordinate our Spring CITC program around Law Day and our Fall CITC program around Constitution Day, we welcome volunteers to teach anytime throughout the school year.
Teach a Lesson
We encourage all lawyers and law students to volunteer with ACS in our CITC program. Participating is easy. ACS prepares topical lessons plans every year that volunteers can use in elementary, middle or high school classrooms. Some of our ACS chapters coordinate classrooms, but individuals are also encouraged to reach out to their local schools to set up opportunities. If you are interested in coordinating a program in your area please sign-up here or e-mail us at LCEmails@acslaw.org.
ACS’s Constitution in the Classroom is a great way to go out into the community and teach local school kids about the importance of the Constitution. We hope you join us in these efforts and volunteer for our Constitution in the Classroom program.
CITC Curriculum
Download Lesson Plans on Rule of Law:
- Elementary School Lesson Plan on the Rule of Law
- Middle and High School Lesson Plan on the Rule of Law
More lesson plans below:
Download Lesson Plans on Race and the Constitution:
- Elementary School Lesson Plan on the Fourteenth Amendment
- Middle and High School Lesson Plan on the Fourteenth Amendment
Download Lesson Plans on Voting Rights:
- Elementary School Lesson Plan on Voting Rights
- Elementary School Worksheet
- Middle School Lesson Plan on Voting Rights
- Middle School Worksheet
- High School Lesson Plan on Voting Rights
Download Lesson Plans on Separation of Powers:
- Elementary School Lesson on the Separation of Powers
- Elementary School Handout on the Separation of Powers
- Middle School Lesson on the Separation of Powers
- High School Lesson on the Separation of Powers
- High School Diagrams on the Separation of Powers
Download Lesson Plans on the First Amendment:
- Elementary School Lesson Plan on Freedom of Speech
- Middle School Lesson Plan on Freedom of Speech
- Middle School Handout on Freedom of Speech
- High School Lesson Plan on Freedom of Speech
- High School Handout on Freedom of Speech
Download Lesson Plans on the Fourth Amendment:
- Elementary School Lesson Plan on the Fourth Amendment
- Middle School Lesson Plan on the Fourth Amendment
- Middle School Lesson Plan on the Constitution and the Fourth Amendment
Download Lesson Plans on the Sixth Amendment:
- Elementary School Lesson Plan on the Sixth Amendment
- Middle School and High School Lesson Plan on the Sixth Amendment
- High School Lesson Plan on the Sixth Amendment
Download General Guides:
Constitution in the Classroom brings ACS members into primary and secondary classrooms to raise awareness of fundamental constitutional principles. As lawyers, law students and educators we have a resource that we can share with students: our knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution. By spending as little as one-hour teaching in a high school, middle school or elementary school classroom, you can excite young minds about their constitutional rights and responsibilities.