Third Annual Delaware Day Constitution Contest Kicks Off for First State 4th Graders
September 17, 2004
Dover — With this year being a U.S. presidential election year and a gubernatorial one in Delaware, it is especially timely for state students to learn more about a citizen’s right to vote. Just what was Delaware’s role in ratifying the Constitution that established this country’s democratic government?
Finding out the answers to these civic questions and others are part of the Delaware Department of State’s annual fourth-grade challenge to study the Constitution. The theme of this year’s Delaware Day contest is “Constitution, Ratification, Voting and Election. It’s Good Being First.” Fourth grade is the year when students learn about Delaware’s history, including the fact that Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution.
“Our state holds a unique place in history and it’s good being first,” said Delaware Secretary of State Harriet Smith Windsor. “I am anxiously waiting to review student projects highlighting their knowledge of the Constitution.”
Teachers are invited to encourage their students to write poems, narrative summaries, and original song lyrics, or draw illustrations that will be part of a visual display to be judged. Individual classrooms or collaborative projects containing student-generated work can be entered in the Delaware Day contest. The contest follows standards-based experiences complimenting the state’s civics, history and social studies educational curriculum standards. Free instructional packets with background information are available. Registration forms are due by October 8, 2004
Students will be required to answer the following questions:
1. What is the Constitution of the United States? Why was it written?
2. Define the term “ratification.” Describe Delaware’s role in the ratification process.
3. Identify examples of powers and responsibilities entrusted to the Executive Branch. Define the term “amendment.” Explain how the 22nd Amendment altered the term of office.
4. Defend your position on whether voting is an example of citizenship. Outline how the right to vote changed over time. Cite qualifications of people eligible to vote in Delaware today.
Winners will receive one of five special awards named in honor of Delaware’s signers to the Constitution – John Dickinson, George Read, Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom, and Gunning Bedford, Jr. Awards named in honor of Delaware’s signers represent five categories including the city of Wilmington, New Castle County Kent County, Sussex County and private schools.
All student projects will be photographed and displayed throughout the state during the months of December and January. Names of this year’s participants will be added to the Department’s official Delaware Day honor roll. The honor roll currently contains the names of 1200 fourth-grade students and 80 teachers. Contest winners will be announced on December 4, 2004 at the State House Museum in Dover
This year marks the 217th anniversary of when Delaware first ratified the Constitution, and the 215th anniversary of when the state held its first federal election. It is also the 217th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787.
For more information on the Delaware Day contest, contact the Delaware Department of State at (302) 739-4111 or www.delaware.gov and go the Museums site.
