Videos · History in 5 · Feb 27, 2026
The first three articles of the U.S. Constitution establish the three branches of government. But the Framers knew there was still more work to do. How did they make the Constitution truly “of the…
Videos · History in 5 · Feb 13, 2026
Freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, the right to remain silent. You might think these well-known “guaranteed rights” are included in the original U.S. Constitution. Surprisingly, they’re not.…
Videos · History in 5 · Jan 30, 2026
The Framers of the Constitution thought that the Judicial Branch of the new American government would be the weakest of the three branches. But 250 years later, that’s not how it turned out. What…
Videos · History in 5 · Jan 17, 2026
America declared its independence from England in 1776. Then it fought—and won—a war to secure that independence. So what would America do with its newfound freedom? The first step was to establish a…
Videos · History in 5 · Jan 16, 2026
When America became independent, it was hardly a strong, unified country. Every state had its own government, its own culture, and its own ideas. Bringing everyone together under one national…
Videos · History in 5 · Jan 15, 2026
How much power should the President have? That was a big question on the minds of the writers of the Constitution. A Chief Executive without enough power means a government too weak to do its job.…
Videos · History in 5 · Jan 15, 2026
With the creation of the U.S. Constitution, the Founders flipped the script for how governments had always functioned around the world. Rather than anointing a king or a ruler, they wanted to give…
Videos · History in 5 · Jan 14, 2026
History in 5 delivers fast-paced, five-minute episodes that make civics engaging and fun. In a conversational, story-driven style, students explore the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the…
Worksheets
Use this companion worksheet to help students in grades 4–6 understand how the Constitution balances state and federal power to keep the nation united.
Worksheets
Students in grades 4-6 will explore the ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights and why they are necessary for our freedom.
Worksheets
Students ingrades 4-6 will explore the Judicial Branch’s powers under Article III and evaluate modern challenges the courts face.
Worksheets
Students build a “government profile,” explore how power can be abused, and compare a republic to other systems through comic panels and quick comprehension questions.
Worksheets
Students tackle a government crisis, then play “Deal or No Deal” with real Constitutional Convention debates—making choices, defending compromises, and proving they understand what was at stake.
Worksheets
Students put lawmakers to the test, explore how a bill becomes a law, and identify Congress’s key powers and limits using clear prompts and kid-friendly activities.
Worksheets
Students jump into a Crisis! Power Grab! challenge, then use Article II to identify the President’s responsibilities, checks on executive power, the Electoral College, and term limits—all in a clear,…
Lesson Plans
Can 50 states really function as one nation? This lesson plan helps grades 4–6 students discover how the Constitution keeps the states united while limiting government power.
Lesson Plans
Why is there a Bill of Rights? Students will explore why the Founders insisted on writing down specific rights as an addendum to the Constitution: so our freedoms cannot be slowly ignored, stretched,…
Lesson Plans
How do we build a government strong enough to enforce laws, but limited enough to protect freedom? Explore the Judicial Branch's power under Article III in with this lesson plan and accompanying…
Lesson Plans
What kind of government protects freedom without falling into chaos? In this Grades 4–6 lesson, students compare government types, define a republic, and discover why the Founders built a system of…
Lesson Plans
How did America go from a weak government to a strong republic? Students learn why the Articles of Confederation failed and step into the Constitutional Convention to see how compromise helped hold…
Lesson Plans
Who writes the laws—and why did the Founders make lawmaking slow on purpose? In this lesson, students explore Article I, the two houses of Congress, and how limited powers help protect liberty.
Lesson Plans
What is the President’s job—and who keeps that power in check? In this fast-paced Grades 4–6 lesson, students test real government “crisis scenarios,” then unpack Article II to learn the President’s…
Videos · Otto's Tales · Jun 13, 2025
When Dennis, Otto, and Smidge disagree about how to celebrate the 4th of July, they journey back in time to get some answers from the Founding Fathers and President Ulysses Grant. In this storytime…
Videos · Otto's Tales · May 22, 2025
Why is it important to learn from previous generations and give back to our communities? With this storytime video, your kids can join Otto and Smidge as they visit a local nursing home and meet a…
Videos · Otto's Tales · Dec 02, 2024
Teach your children to be strong and courageous like Joshua, one of Israel's great leaders from the Bible. When tasked with bringing down the mighty walls of Jericho, Joshua trusted God's plan—even…