We recently did an activity where my students analyzed the preamble to the constitution and they discovered that the constitution makes six promises:
1. Have a better government than England (“in order to form a more perfect union”)
2. Fair laws for everyone (“establish justice”)
3. Everyone can feel safe (“ensure domestic tranquility”)
4. Everyone gets protection (“provide for the common defense”)
5. Everyone gets what they need (“Promote the general welfare”) and
6. Freedom for everyone (“secure the blessings of liberty”)
So, we decided to make posters and hang them up in our classroom that showed these promises. To show that everyone gets what they need, one group drew food, water, clothing, and shelter (earlier discussed as the basic needs). In explaining their drawings, a student from this group explained why water was one of the basic needs. “So, you know how when you get lots of sugar, it runs through your body and you get really hyper?” he said while demonstrating with a sweep of his hand across his body. “Well,” he continued, “you have to drink water to wash away the hyper…oh, and you need it to live, too.”
It was wonderful to be a part of your classroom on that day and hear what your kids had to say about what they learned, and see the posters that they made. We all enjoyed hearing that little boys comment! You are a wonderful teacher Katherine and thanks for letting us share in that day!