Constitution in the Classroom — bringing ACS lawyers and law students to America's schools
“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?
Who can get involved with CITC?
We strongly encourage all lawyers and law students to volunteer with ACS in our CITC program. If you are interested in coordinating a program in your area please e-mail us at firstname.lastname@example.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.
Tell us about your experience!
Let us know about your chapter's time in the classrom here. Also be sure to send photos to email@example.com!
Calling All Classroom Volunteers!
If you are interested in coordinating this program in your area, please email firstname.lastname@example.org.
Former U.S. Solicitor General Teach in D.C. Public Schools
Former Solicitor General and assistant Attorney General Walter Dellinger spoke with fourth grade students at Ross Elementary School in Washington, D.C., about their own rights to free speech in celebration of Constitution Day. He taught the Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District case and explained that he was a clerk for then-Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black when Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District was heard by the court.
Marin Independent Journal
April 23, 2013
"I see kids getting excited about the law. They are the ones who are going to be our leaders."
-Anna Tryon Pletcher, ACS Bay Area Lawyer Chapter
The Bend Bulletin
September 18, 2012
"It's all about making it current and showing kids that the Constitution is a living thing. We're showing them that it matters."
-Alycia Sykora, ACS Oregon Lawyer Chapter
May 21, 2012
"By the end of the Hack Jam, youth and mentors alike carried a newfound understanding of the scope and power of freedom of speech."
The New York Times
May 10, 2012
Click here to read more about The Hive NYC First Amendment Hack Jam, an extension of ACS's Constitution in the Classroom program.
May 8, 2012
“It’s really important for children at this age to start thinking about these questions...Our future leaders of tomorrow are sitting in that classroom.”
-Greg Whitten, BU Law student volunteer
Daily Business Review
May 1, 2012
Boston University School of Law
October 13, 2011
September 29, 2011
September 20, 2011
The Huffington Post
September 16, 2011
"While the Constitution deserves much more than a day, ACS applauds the recognition this day gives to that great document."
-Caroline Fredrickson, Executive Director, American Constitution Society
The Bend Bulletin
September 18, 2010
Download Lesson Plans on Voting Rights:
Download Lesson Plans on the First Amendment:
Download Lesson Plans on the Fourth Amendment:
Download Lesson Plans on the Sixth Amendment:
Download General Guides:
ACS has partnered with the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project at American University Washington College of Law. ACS would like to thank the Marshall-Brennan Project for developing the new curriculum and for partnering with ACS members throughout the country to educate school kids on the importance of the Constitution.
The Voting Rights curriculum authors are: Geoffrey D. Kravitz, Economic Development Director for the Town of Amherst, Massachusetts; Joseph P. McCarthy, Esq.; and Timothy O. Wilkerson, Adjunct Faculty, Suffolk University Law School. ACS would like to thank the authors for developing curriculum and for partnering with ACS members throughout the country to educate school kids on the importance of Voting Rights.