The Preamble to the Constitution is iconic in the establishment of the United States of America because it is the first paragraph of our founding document. Why are the people of the United States establishing this Constitution? For five reasons that are enumerated: for justice, tranquility, defense, the general good, and liberty.
These phrases are described in greater detail in Exploring Government by Ray Notgrass. We find out how the general good was taken out of context in later years to fund programs that the founding fathers would have never agreed to. The whole purpose of the government was to preserve basic rights and freedoms, not to tax the people into oblivion by supporting an enormous bureaucracy.
The Preamble to the Constitution (Dramatized!)
“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
How we dramatized the Preamble to the Constitution:
“We the people of the United States, –Everyone stands around wearing sunglasses and pointing at themselves.
in order to form a more perfect union, –Everyone holds a paper that says “Union,” and they begin scrubbing it to make it better.
establish justice, –A person holds a gavel.
insure domestic tranquility, –Everyone sleeps peacefully.
provide for the common defense, –People hold swords and shields.
promote the general welfare, –Someone holds up a sign with “Safety” on it, with people holding toy cars (representing national freeways and safety of vehicles) and pills (regulating the safety of pharmaceutical drugs).
and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, –A parent passes a paper with “Liberty” on it to her daughter.
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” –Everyone scribbles on a huge scroll with “Constitution” written on it.
And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen: the Preamble to the Constitution, dramatized to enable you to remember this first paragraph of the founding document of our great nation.
Next up in the high school government series: Presidential Line of Succession!
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Tags: Exploring Government, government, hands-on learning, high school, Homeschooling, Notgrass
I love this idea so much! I’m sure it is allowing much deeper learning to occur having them think of ways to bring the preamble to life.
Absolutely! They had to brainstorm how to visually interpret each phrase to internalize it. Re-enacting it makes it unforgettable!
This is so neat. I love your ideas for teaching your kids!
Thanks! We have a lot of fun as a family.
This is great!…again!
Thank you. My favorite scene was to ensure domestic tranquility, where everyone was sleeping in a tangled mess with a foot sticking up in the air!
Are you going to create a landing page for all of these videos? I love them so much and would love to have one easy place to access them when you are finished!
I guess I’ll make a landing page after I finish the series!
Very cute! Love “provide for the common defense” with swords an shields and the sneaky one in the background. Thanks for sharing. – Amy
My sons love swords and shields, so they liked that scene.
Love this idea! The way you teach is great, and I think your kids probably retain most of it! Enjoy being on your site!
Thank you! The whole point of teaching my kids at home is to have joy with them as I teach them all of what God wants them to know.
Susan, you make learning so much fun for your kiddos. And sharing it on the internet helps so many others too. Bless you for this.
I hope it’s a blessing to anyone who is learning about Government!
Great lesson for active learners. I am sure they will retain it!
The skits definitely help to bring the lesson to life, for retention.
Great idea and love what you say here:
“We find out how the general good was taken out of context in later years to fund programs that the founding fathers would have never agreed to. The whole purpose of the government was to preserve basic rights and freedoms, not to tax the people into oblivion by supporting an enormous bureaucracy.”
The founding fathers were not perfect, but they were trying to do what was right according to their limited perspectives. Perhaps my generation and your children’s generation will live up to the words in the constitution!
I hope so!
Love how your family is bringing history to life in a way that they can see how it still applies today!