US Constitution Videos for Students
Are you looking for educational video clips to include in your US Constitution Unit? Finding quality, accurate videos for students is time-consuming. And if there’s one thing that teachers don’t have, it’s spare time.
My goal is to make your life easier as a social studies teacher. One way that I hope to do that is by compiling lists of excellent, kid-friendly history videos. Basically, I’m watching countless videos so you don’t have to. I hope your students find these videos entertaining and educational.
So, without further ado, here are my 5 favorite US Constitution videos for students.
The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights (Whiteboard Illustration)
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Middle school teacher Mr. Hill’s illustrated whiteboard video summarizing the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights
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6 minutes
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My Rating: age 8+
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Notes: This is a great way to introduce the US Constitution to your students. As I was watching the video, I kept thinking, “Making a whiteboard video looks fun!” Your students may agree. At the end of your Constitution unit, challenge your students to make their own whiteboard videos explaining one concept they learned.
“I’m Just a Bill” by Schoolhouse Rock
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Schoolhouse Rock’s classic song explaining how a bill becomes a law
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3 minutes
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My Rating: age 8+
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Notes: I mean, it wasn’t possible to leave this video out. It’s a classic for a reason and the song is unforgettable (it’s still stuck in my head). Older kids may also enjoy the SNL Parody How a Bill Does Not Become a Law all about executive orders. Just so you know, the three-minute parody video shows a man smoking a cigarette and makes fun of Obama’s immigration policies.
The Bill of Rights Hand Game by Hip Hughes
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Hip Hughes’ quick lecture on how to use hand signals to remember the main ideas of the first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth, and tenth amendments to the US Constitution
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10 minutes
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My Rating: age 10+
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Notes: This video is not as slick as Hip Hughes’ more recent videos (the video quality is grainy and there is a part where he is interrupted by his barking dogs). However, the content is A+! He does a great job at giving students hand signals to remember the most important amendments in the Bill of Rights. If you want your students to learn hand signals for all 27 amendments, I recommend this video.
The Constitution Song (“Despacito” Parody)
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Mr. Bett’s overview of the US Constitution including its purpose, Preamble, articles, and amendments
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3.5 minutes
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My Rating: age 8+
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Notes: Like all of Mr. Bett’s song parodies, it’s cringy in the best way. I recommend watching it twice: first, let the kids get all of their giggles out. Then, watch it again so kids can focus on the content. Provide students with some guiding questions (ex: What are the main parts of the Constitution? What is the purpose of the Preamble? etc.).
Magna Carta and the Constitution
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Annenberg Classroom’s explanation of the Magna Carta, and how the idea of “the rule of law” influenced the framers of the US Constitution
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20 minutes
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My Rating: age 12+
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Notes: This informative video plainly explains the Magna Carta and its influence on the Constitution. In typical documentary style, the video is a mix of interviews with experts, animation, and photographs.
More Resources for Teaching about the US Constitution
I hope you that at least one of these US Constitution videos will be useful to you. If I left out your favorite US Constitution video, please leave it in the comments.
Videos are engaging, but they are just one piece of the instructional puzzle. If you need more than a video, I’ve listed some of my best US Constitution resources below.
Need a FREE Bill of Rights Lesson?
In this lesson, students match picture cards to descriptions of each amendment in the Bill of Rights. Then they evaluate scenarios in which the Bill of Rights are violated by reading task cards around the room. Finally, they write a classroom Bill of Rights.
This lesson includes picture cards, task cards, a writing prompt, and student worksheets and answer keys.
I’ve created this lesson for Constitution Day. But, it would be great for any time of the year.
Enter your email below to grab your free Bill of Rights Lesson.
US Constitution Blog Posts
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Do you want to save yourself even more time? Check out my US Constitution 3 Week Unit. Your students will love the Constitutional Convention simulation where they act as delegates and make decisions about the Constitution.
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