HFFU Challenge

 
 
 
Challenge 2016-2017

To: 5th Grade Teachers
A Timely Challenge for Teachers.

Start the 2016-2017 school year with a bang!

Students from Joaquin Miller School celebrate the bicentennial of the Constitution and then go on to create and sign their own preamble and classroom Bill of Rights.

Through the use of the engaging Winning A Voice unit, 5th grade teachers can start off the 2016-2017 school year with a BANG!

First, students will learn about the making of the United States Constitution through Jean Fritz’s wonderful little book Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution and her other humorous and insightful books about the founding fathers. Then, like the Joaquin Miller students above, they will go on to create their own preamble and classroom Bill of Rights. After all, "Learning by doing" is what John Dewey preached so long ago. Through "doing" students will learn about the relationship between rights and responsibilities.

Jean Fritz’ Shh! We’re
Writing the Contitution
Jean Fritz’ Will you Sign
Here, John Hancock?
This exciting experience of reliving the signing of the Constitution by becoming one of our famous forefathers sets the stage for the rest of the story;the story of how former slaves and women fought for and won the chance to be included in the Constitution through the passage of the 13th, 14th, 15th and 19th Amendments. Finally our foremothers become an integral part of America’s story too!
Amy Winuk’s 5th grade students (Elk Grove, CA) create the ratification flag and suffrage exhibit.