LPOSD celebrates constitution day

Two-hundred and thirty-five years ago, on Sept. 17, 1787, the Constitution of the United States of America was signed by 39 delegates in Philadelphia. Following this, founders worked alongside states to create solutions that would allow for the Constitution to become ratified. The compromises with states like Massachusetts resulted in ratifying 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution in 1791 – known as the Bill of Rights. The result has led to the longest-standing constitution in the world (in use).

Today is Constitution Day, a federal observation aimed at honoring and celebrating the privileges granted to the people of the United States. In our modern age, there is value in reflecting on this supreme law of the land. Lake Pend Oreille School District celebrated yesterday with our students through a variety of lessons, activities, and observances throughout the district. Activities ran the gamut…but all were aimed at helping their students’ knowledge of the Constitution grow.

Kindergarten students at Farmin Stidwell created handmade Constitution booklets to help them understand concepts like liberty and freedom. Mrs. French said of her students, “They were so engaged in the flip book, we were late for recess and lunch!” Colleague and fourth grade teacher Renee Lorden created “Mini Books” with her class. Her lesson objectives included teaching students that “the Constitution unites the American people and establishes their rights,” as well as helping students understand key terms such as amendment, Bill of Rights, and independence.

At Kootenai Elementary School, students were greeted by their administrators and office staff dressed alike in patriotic colors. Fifth-grade students in Madi Schoening’s classroom made a classroom “Bill of Rights” earlier in the school year. On Friday, the students authored three amendments of their own, after learning more about the United States Constitution. These responses ranged from silly to essential (as it is 5th grade, after all). Schoening says, “as their teacher, I really push for an environment where students feel safe and comfortable to be who they are and express themselves in the best way they know how. It was awesome to see how this activity empowered students' voices.”

Meanwhile, teenagers in Brian Smith’s U.S. Government class played a game about checks and balances. In this “Constitutional Power Grab Game” students are assigned a branch of government, and work with their team to locate the exact line, article, or amendment that prohibits other branches of government from exerting unauthorized power. Mr. Smith describes the value of the activity saying, “It is competitive, which students like. However, it is also informative on what is actually in the Constitution and specifically how the document limits the powers of the government.”

Clark Fork High School held a common lesson in every classroom at school in honor of the day. Teacher Becca Palmer said, “we celebrated the anniversary by watching an inspiring video of the preamble and reviewing the four articles of the Constitution within the students’ homeroom classes. Once the basics were reviewed, students played an online learning game as a class competing for who knew the most about the Constitution. The activity was developed by social studies teacher Kelly Woodmansee. Students had a lot of good discussions about the three branches of government and states’ rights.”

Other LPOSD Constitution Day lessons included a study of Benjamin Franklin and his influence at the Constitutional Convention, a focused examination of the Preamble, and evidence-based discussions or essays on key Constitutional principles. From Clark Fork to Cocolalla, students all over LPOSD were taking part in grade-appropriate learning about this fundamental and landmark document— the Constitution of the United States of America.

On this commemorative day, we reflect upon the men who bravely signed the United States Constitution and the words written by Madison: “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.”

Happy Constitution Day!