We the People and the Constitution’s Preamble
- Jul 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 16
Grade Level: 6-12
Duration of Video: 2 minutes, 28 seconds
Themes:
Social contract
Purpose of the Preamble
“We the People”
Six goals – the main purpose of the U.S. Constitution
The Constitution today
US History
The opening words of the U.S. Constitution emphasize that the government's authority comes from the people. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Description:
In this lesson, students watch a short video full of interesting and essential ideas about the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution — the opening statement that explains the purpose and goals of our government. Students will reflect on what the famous words "We the People" mean, why the Preamble is often called the Constitution's mission statement, and how its ideas continue to shape our country today. With a partner activity to analyze the main ideas and a class activity to create a classroom social contract, students reflect on how the goals of the Preamble connect to their own community and everyday life.
Lesson Plan:
🎯 OBJECTIVES (SWBAT)
Define what a social contract is.
Discuss how the U.S. Constitution is a social contract.
Reflect on the benefits of a social contract.
Review the U.S. Constitution’s Preamble and discuss its uniqueness.
Answer analytical questions about the Preamble, the concept of “a more perfect union,” and “popular sovereignty.”
Create a class social contract.
🧰 MATERIALS:
Student Worksheet 1: The Preamble to the Constitution (Printed for each student or digital copy)
Student Worksheet 2: We the People and the Constitution’s Preamble (Printed for each student or digital copy)
Pens or pencils for students
Video: We the People and the Constitution’s Preamble: The Constitution Explained
Smart Board or computer and projector
Poster board
Markers
📋 LESSON FLOW
Hook
Ask students:
What is a social contract?
If students are unsure, say:
The U.S. Constitution is a social contract.
Say:
What do you think a social contract is?
Background
Hand out Student Worksheet 1: The Preamble to the Constitution. (Printed for each student or digital copy)
Ask a student to read aloud the definition of a Social Contract from Student Worksheet 1: The Preamble to the Constitution.
Ask: What would society be like if we did not have a social contract? Why is a social contract so important?
Ask:
When a football coach gives his/her players a set of rules to abide by to play on the team, is that a social contract? [Yes!]
What are other social contracts in daily life that set behavioral expectations?
Say:
Today, we are going to learn about the Preamble, the introduction to the U.S. Constitution, and how meaningful it is.
Ask a student to read the Preamble on Student Worksheet 1: The Preamble to the Constitution (Printed for each student or digital copy)
Video Time
Before the film, teacher says:
I am going to show you a short film about the Preamble. As you watch the film, write down an interesting fact or two about the Preamble or the U.S. Constitution on Student Worksheet 1: The Preamble to the Constitution. We will discuss these after the film.
Show the video: We the People and the Constitution’s Preamble: The Constitution Explained
Teach and Discuss
Ask students: What unique aspect(s) did you learn about the Preamble or the U.S. Constitution in general from the video?
Students may recall facts from the video, such as:
The U.S. Constitution is the oldest written constitution of a nation that is still in effect.
The U.S. Constitution has been running our government since 1789.
The U.S. Constitution is one of the shortest constitutions in the world (originally under 5,000 words, 52 of which make up the Preamble).
The first three words, written in large script are, “We the People.”
Partner Activity
Hand out to each student: Student Worksheet 2: We the People and the Constitution’s Preamble
Ask students to work with their seat partner to answer the questions on this worksheet and write down their answers (give the students 10-12 minutes for this activity).
Reunite the Class
Reunite the class and discuss students’ answers from Student Worksheet 2: We the People and the Constitution’s Preamble
Class Social Contract
Ask students to create a classroom social contract by coming up with 3 to 10 social and academic behavioral expectations to create a positive classroom climate.
For example:
Show respect to teachers and friends in word and deed.
If you don’t understand, ask!
No putdowns.
If you’re frustrated by a social situation, talk it out directly with the person or get help to do so from a counselor at school.
Allow the students to discuss and brainstorm until the class votes close to unanimously on the behavioral expectations.
Ask a student to write these expectations on a poster board. Have all the students sign it and hang the social contract up on a classroom wall.
Optional: Print the photos in the link below of the actual U.S. Constitution, including the Preamble, and hang these on the wall near the students’ social contract: Photos of the U.S. Constitution.
During the school year, refer to the students’ social contract by praising them for abiding by the contract and reminding them of what they agreed to in case they forget.
© 2025-2026
All materials on this website are available for educational use under Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Educators may download and share the content with attribution, for non-commercial use and instructional purposes, and without modification. Embedding any materials within any website-whether educational, institutional, public, or private-is prohibited without prior written consent of Balanced Learning Resources. Unauthorized embedding or redistribution may violate copyright and licensing terms.
