Seventh graders in Ms. Pulitano’s social studies class at Udall Road Middle School had an unexpected twist to their social studies class on Sept. 17, when they discovered that, in honor of Constitution Day, the “country had been taken over by aliens.”

As part of the interactive lesson, students – who had been studying constitutional rights and the Bill of Rights – were told that under the new alien regime, citizens would only be allowed to keep three Amendments. Working in small groups, the seventh graders had to select which Amendments to preserve and provide compelling reasons for their choices.

The activity encouraged students to not only deepen their understanding of the Constitution, but also to practice critical thinking, persuasive argument and collaboration. Groups debated and defended their selections, mirroring the kind of civic dialogue and decision-making at the heart of American democracy.

The creative Constitution Day activity gave students a memorable way to connect with history, while reinforcing the importance of the rights and freedoms they enjoy today.