United States Constitution

Rather than simply digitizing the Constitution and such related documents as the Bill of Rights, the Articles of Confederation, and the Gettysburg Address, this app organizes them into an accessible, simple-to-navigate format. Kids see one of the most important documents in U.S. history organized into articles and tap each article to reveal additional information. In addition to being able to read the text, kids will find some articles accompanied by a brief analysis to help them understand what the text means. Kids can also search for specific words to make it easy to find the information they need.

The Constitution itself can be a tremendous tool for learning about government, democracy, and the history of the United States. And the app does provide an easy-to-navigate way to explore this impressive document. However, for middle and high school teachers, the text-heavy format is going to be a tough sell for your students. The brief analyses can offer some pathways to learning, but there are no features that allow kids to reflect on or apply what they learn. You might be better off using a history textbook, where excerpts from the Constitution are scaffolded with a glossary and discussion questions that provoke critical thinking. Still, if you want students to dive in and explore the entirety of this seminal document, this could be a useful tool.