Kids Edition- What's a constitution?

We explore what a constitution is by comparing it to creating rules for a clubhouse. We explain how the U.S. Constitution outlines government structure, leadership selection, and citizens' rights. Our conversation takes listeners back to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, revealing how the founding fathers debated and compromised to create a document that still guides our nation today.

• The Constitution defined as the most important set of rules for a country
• The U.S. Constitution was written in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787
• At only 4,500 words, it's the world's shortest written constitution for a major government
• Amendments allow the Constitution to change, with 27 added so far
• Interactive questions encourage listeners to think about rule-making and amendments
• Mini-quiz reviews key concepts about the Constitution

Parents and adults can find a printable Kids Constitution worksheet here or at civics.asu.edu for a PDF copy.

Check Out the Civic Literacy Curriculum!

School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership

Center for American Civics

Transcript

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Welcome and Constitution Basics

Speaker 1 0:47

Welcome back to Civics in a Year Kids Edition where we explore big ideas about how our country works , one question at a time . I'm your host , liz , and I'm really excited to talk about today's question . Today's question is what is a constitution ? So let's start with a little story . Imagine that you and your friends are building the best clubhouse ever . You've got rope ladders , a snack corner , maybe even a no broccoli allowed rule . As a side note , president George HW Bush hated broccoli . But then the arguments start . I want to bring my dog inside . No pets allowed . We should have a movie night every Friday , only if we can watch cartoons .

Speaker 1 1:34

Pretty soon you realize you need some rules that everyone agrees on . So you grab a notebook and you write them down . You decide who can come in , how you decide on snacks and how to keep your clubhouse safe

The Clubhouse Constitution Story

Speaker 1 1:51

when everyone signs the paper . You've just made your own little mini constitution for your clubhouse . So what is a constitution in real life ? A constitution is the most important set of rules for a country . It tells us how the government works , how leaders are chosen and what rights the people have . It's like a promise between the government and the people . The government promises to follow the rules and the people promise to protect their rights . So quick question for you If you can make one rule that everyone in your school has to follow , what would it be ? Think about it and think about why you'd make it .

Speaker 1 2:34

Now let's take a quick trip back to the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia . The United States was still very new and our first plan for government , the Articles of Confederation , was not working very well . So leaders from different states came together for what we now call the Constitutional Convention . They met in a really hot room , with the windows closed , yes , even in the summer , because they wanted their conversations to stay private until they had a plan . They argued , they debated , they compromised and after about four months they had written the US Constitution , a document that still guides our government today , more than 230 years later . Here's a fun fact

The Constitutional Convention

Speaker 1 3:20

the Constitution is the shortest written constitution of any major government in the world . It's about 4,500 words . That's shorter than some chapter books you've probably read . Now , the Constitution is not stuck in the past . It can change .

Speaker 1 3:39

These changes are called amendments . We've added 27 of them so far . One of the most famous , the First Amendment , which protects freedom of speech , religion , the press and the right to gather peacefully . So question for you if you could add an amendment to the US Constitution , what would it be ? I'll make a little mini quiz here

Amendments and Constitution Quiz

Speaker 1 4:03

. So if you have an adult hanging out with you listening , or if you're listening by yourself , try to pause after every question , see if you can answer it , and then after a couple seconds , I will answer it too . So let's see what you remember .

Speaker 1 4:18

First question what is a constitution ? That's right , it's the most important set of rules for a country . Number two where was the US Constitution written ? That's it Philadelphia , pennsylvania . Number three what is one thing the Constitution tells us ? Great , there are a lot of answers to this . So some examples are how the government works , how leaders are chosen , what rights people have . Number four what is the name for a change to the Constitution ? Great , it's an amendment .

Speaker 1 5:11

And the last question how many amendments are there right now in the US Constitution ? If you guessed 27 , you are right . Well , that's our adventure for today . The Constitution may be over 230 years old , but it still shapes how we live and the freedoms we enjoy every single day . Next time you're in your clubhouse or your classroom , think about the rules you'd want to write down . Who knows , you might be practicing for writing rules of a country one day . I'm Liz and this has been Civics in a Year Kids Edition . I'll see you next time . Also , parents and adults there is a printable Kids Constitution worksheet

Episode Wrap-up and Resources

Speaker 1 6:01

that goes along with this podcast . You can find it in the show notes or you can go to civicsasuedu for a PDF copy .