Nine years ago, Congress passed a law establishing September 17th as “Constitution Day” and requiring all schools that receive federal funding to observe the new holiday by providing educational programming on that day about the history of the U.S. Constitution.

Unfortunately, many public schools are either unaware of this federal requirement or lack the resources to help teachers develop requisite lesson plans. To fill this gap, the ACLU has created an innovative and interactive online program that is entirely free and can be found at ConstitutionDay.aclu.org.

The program is specifically targeted at middle school students, and the goal is to give them a better understanding and appreciation for the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to them under the Constitution. We hope it complements their U.S. history and American government classes while at the same time providing a fun way to enjoy Constitution Day.

Poke around the new site and you’ll find interactive trivia games and puzzles, as well as contests that schools can enter to win prizes. This is a new project by the ACLU and it’s sure to improve every year, so check it out and let us know what you think.

For teachers wanting even more, the ACLU of Maine is always happy to travel to schools anywhere in the state and teach about the Constitution. To schedule a visit or learn more, contact me at jgaither@aclumaine.org or 774-5444.