Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, September 28, 2009

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Arlington third-graders took turns sharing their suggestions for how to improve the U.S. Constitution in their lifetime.

Youngsters at Arlington Elementary School might have a little trouble pronouncing “domestic tranquility,” but they have a better idea of its meaning after dissecting the Preamble and delving into the history of the U.S. Constitution.

“If (students) want to be governor or president, they need to learn all this stuff,” third-grader Kaliah Miller said after her social studies lesson on Constitution Day.

In one activity, Kaliah and her classmates read through a short play called “Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation.” Kiara Butts portrayed Pennsylvania, and Katlin Littleton was New York.

“I learned from the play how history is very important and how we got our states,” Kiara said, adding, “If people don’t know history, they won’t get a good job or a good life.”

Katlin especially liked the fact that the Constitution is a living document, which can be changed to meet the current needs of the country.

“Some of the laws I kind of don’t like,” she said, mentioning she’d give bank robbers a warning on first offense instead of prison time. “I’m not mean or anything. I like to help people.”

Their teacher, Madeline Todd, offered a variety of activities to engage her class. The children also talked about the significance of signing or ratifying a document, located the original states on a colorful plastic map and wrote their opinions on how to improve the Constitution during their lifetime.

Todd emphasized the importance of the three branches of government and the compromise that created two houses in Congress. She also pointed out that under the original standard of “Caucasian males,” only four of her 18 students would have been allowed to vote.

“Even though we had this Constitution, it wasn’t perfect,” she said, but “it’s what brought our country together. It’s a starting point.”

Todd, who described herself as a history buff, likes to revisit the Founding Fathers and the ideals of democracy throughout the school year.

“I hope for history lessons to be something they always can reflect on,” she said. “One day they’ll sit in high school and they’ll remember.” 

Did you know?

In 1955, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution petitioned Congress to set aside Sept. 17-23 annually to observe Constitution Week. The resolution was adopted and signed into law in 1956 by President Eisenhower.

The Preamble:

“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.”