R9 Social Studies Support

Celebrate Freedom Week Resources

TEC § 29.907

Each year, during the week that includes September 17, Texas schools honor Celebrate Freedom Week (TEC § 29.907) to highlight the values and ideals on which the United States was founded as well as the sacrifices that were made for freedom in the founding of the country. Students learn about the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights. Students also examine the relationship between the ideas in these documents and subsequent American history.

Celebrate Freedom Week coincides with Constitution Week, established by the U.S. Congress to encourage all Americans to learn about the Constitution. Both Celebrate Freedom Week and Constitution Week focus on September 17, the date in 1787 when delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution. Congress has also designated September 17 of each year as Constitution Day.

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State and federal laws mandate a variety of celebrations and observances, including Celebrate Freedom Week.

(A) Each social studies class shall include, during Celebrate Freedom Week as provided under the TEC, §29.907, or during another full school week as determined by the board of trustees of a school district, appropriate instruction concerning the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in their historical contexts. The study of the Declaration of Independence must include the study of the relationship of the ideas expressed in that document to subsequent American history, including the relationship of its ideas to the rich diversity of our people as a nation of immigrants, the American Revolution, the formulation of the U.S. Constitution, and the abolitionist movement, which led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the women's suffrage movement.

(B) Each school district shall require that, during Celebrate Freedom Week or other week of instruction prescribed under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, students in Grades 3-12 study and recite the following text from the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness--That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed."

Celebrate Freedom Week Resources

TEA Celebrate Freedom Week Resources

collection of resources curated by the TEA Social Studies staff

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Bill of Rights Institute Constitution Day Resources

Teachers who sign up will receive Constitution Day resources directly to their inbox as they are released and be able to submit questions for the live show! Link

credit: Jessica Torres, Region 12 ESC

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iCivics New Game: Constitutional Compromise

Play time: 15-30 minutes

Recommended age groups: 6th-12th grade

Can you find a path forward for a new nation...with a lot of disagreements? Constitutional Compromise challenges you and your students to find a way forward for a young nation as disagreements mount. Engage in the ideas discussed at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and discover the compromises made by the 55 delegates.

Link to game

Constitutional Compromise Extension Pack

Celebrate Constitution Day with George Washington and James Madison (co-hosted by iCivics and George Washington's Mount Vernon)

Your classes are invited to join iCivics and Mount Vernon on September 18 for a virtual Constitution Day program with award-winning Constitutional scholar Linda Monk in conversation with George Washington and James Madison. They will discuss the origins of the Constitution and the compromises made during the Constitutional Convention.

You can tune into the live stream at 10-11 a.m. ET, or watch the replay with your classes on-demand.

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National Constitution Center Constitution Day Resources

In September 1787, the Founders signed the most influential document in American history, the U.S. Constitution. On Constitution Day, the National Constitution Center presents a series of programs and events highlighting the history and meaning of the amendment.

Link to resources

Six great ways to Celebrate Constitution Day: