3rd Grade Civics & Government — We the People — Our Government and Constitution
Students will learn what the Constitution is, why it was written, and how it reflects Biblical principles of justice and liberty.
After America won its independence from England in 1783, the new nation needed a plan for how the government would work. In the summer of 1787, leaders from the states met in Philadelphia to write the Constitution of the United States.
The Constitution is like a rulebook for our country. It explains how laws are made, who leads the government, and what rights every citizen has. The men who wrote it — called the Founding Fathers — prayed for God's wisdom as they worked.
The Constitution begins with the words 'We the People,' which means the government belongs to the citizens. The Founders believed that God gave people the right to govern themselves. This was a brand-new idea in the world!
Benjamin Franklin, one of the oldest delegates, asked everyone to pray before each meeting. He said, 'I have lived a long time, and the longer I live, the more I am convinced that God governs in the affairs of men.' The Founders knew they needed God's help to build a good government.
The Constitution has lasted for over 230 years — longer than any other written plan of government in the world. It has guided America through wars, hard times, and great achievements. It is a blessing from God to our nation.
Write the opening words of the Constitution — 'We the People of the United States' — in your best handwriting. Decorate the page like an old document with fancy borders.