Teacher’s Guide
Start here for historical context, teaching suggestions, links to online resources, and more:
Constitution Teacher's Guide (PDF, 1.31 MB)
To help your students analyze these primary sources, get a graphic organizer and guides:
Primary Sources
Click the thumbnail for the original item, the caption for information on the item, or download a PDF or MP3.
Philadelphia map with State House, 1752
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(1.3 MB)The Diaries of George Washington. Vol. V. July 1786-December 1789
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(346 KB)View PDF
(338 KB)Alexander Hamilton's speech notes
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(513 KB)Constitution with Washington's handwritten notes, 1787
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(3 MB)Washington's letter presenting the Constitution, 1787
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(349 KB)U.S. Constitution as originally adopted
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(1.83 MB)The Foundation of American Government Hintermeister
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(152 KB)Scene from signing of the Constitution
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(1.2 MB)Jefferson's chart of state votes, 1788
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(627 KB)Jefferson's notes on the Constitution, 1788
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(253 KB)Constitutional Centennial March, 1887
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(243 KB)
The resources in this primary source set are intended for classroom use. If your use will be beyond a single classroom, please review the copyright and fair use guidelines.
To download audio and video players go to American Memory: How to View