SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCES 2007 CONSTITUTION CONTEST
Students Are Challenged to Become "History Detectives"
| Status | For Immediate Release | Contact | Christopher Portante |
| Release Date | Wednesday, 26 September 2007 | Phone | (302) 739-4111 |
The Sixth Annual Delaware Day Fourth Grade Competition was officially announced recently by Dr. Harriet Smith Windsor, Delaware Secretary of State, at Dover's Booker T. Washington Elementary School.
This year's competition celebrates the 220th anniversary of the writing of the constitution and Delaware's ratification. Fourth graders will be expected to explain why the Constitution is such an important document. They will learn that delegates representing twelve states met secretly in Philadelphia to create the new Constitution which proposed a new national plan of government, rather than modify the existing Articles of Confederation.
"I am challenging our students and teachers to become history detectives, to study the Constitution, and to discover Delaware's role in its writing and ratification," said Secretary of State Windsor.
As history detectives, students will discover reasons why the Constitution was only signed by 39 of the 55 delegates attending the federal Convention. By analyzing and interpreting the Preamble, students will rewrite it in their own words in order to explain its meaning. By investigating Article V and key amendments, students will uncover significant information.
Delegates debated a variety of issues at the federal convention, and conflicts arose regarding issues between large and small states. Students will explore data and explain some of these differences while identifying the large and small states of 1787 and comparing them with the United States of today.
The entries will include a panel display and presentation given by the students based on their study of the Constitution. "Every year I look forward to viewing the wonderful student-generated displays," said Secretary Windsor.
Caricatures of Delaware delegates, songs, cheers, poetry, student artwork, political cartoons, and well-written responses to the year's questions are among Secretary Windsor's favorite elements. She said, "I especially appreciate the creative ways in which the students demonstrate what they have learned."
Early in December Secretary Windsor will recognize the achievements of all student and teacher participants. Awards honoring the names of Delaware's five signers: Richard Bassett, Gunning Bedford, Jr., Jacob Broom, John Dickinson, and George Read will be presented to top entries in the categories of Wilmington, New Castle County, Kent County, Sussex County, and Private Schools. Honorable Mention Certificates will be presented to other participants.
Names of all participating students and teachers will be added to the Department of State's Honor Roll which now features the names of 3,523 students and 192 teachers representing schools throughout the State. View last year's winning entries at http://sos.delaware.gov under "Delaware Day."
Fourth grade teachers wishing to enroll students in the competition should contact the Curator of Education, Madeline Dunn, at 302-739-5316. Registered participants receive a free instructional resource packet.
