Students will examine changes in African American voting rights throughout North Carolina's history. This lesson begins by reviewing key vocabulary. Students then independently research the history of African American voting rights in North Carolina using a primary source web quest or jigsaw activity.

Students compare their state's constitution to the U.S. Constitution, explain how the two documents illustrate federalism, and evaluate the need for state constitutions.

This resource is designed to assist students in understanding the differences of the 3 branches of U.S. government.  It should take about 30 mintues to review the article and complete the graphic organizer.  Answers to questions not found in the article can be completed as an internet research activitiy.

This resource is a primary source document of The Constitution of North Carolina of 1868.

This resource is a primary source document of The Constitution of North Carolina of 1971.

This presentation is intended for use with the lesson plan "County Commissioners and Independent Boards." In this lesson, students will participate in a budgeting simulation in which they learn about the responsibilities and interactions of county boards of commissioners and state mandated county independent boards.

Students discuss the current system of school funding in North Carolina,
examine the pros and cons of state versus local funding, and explore the impact of Leandro v. State of
North Carolina on North Carolina's public schools.

In this lesson, students are introduced to Tocqueville's argument about the "omnipotent" power of the majority in America and its consequences. After an initial statement that the "very essence" of democracy is majority rule, he contrasts the means by which state constitutions artificially increase the power of the majority with the U.S. Constitution, which checks that power.

Remix to add resources for use with this graphic organizer. This graphic organizer helps guide discussion or research to support understanding of the North Carolina Constitution.

Questions - cut and paste them everywhere in your room. Have students get up and answer them either digitally or in a notebook:

What is the US Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, and how does it affect state government?
• What is the purpose of the North Carolina Constitution?
• What freedoms, limits, and protections does the North Carolina Constitution and its Articles set forth?
• How does the North Carolina Constitution affect the framework, organization, and structure of state and
local government?
• How is authority defined for public officials (i.e. governor, lieutenant governor, sheriffs, judges, etc.) in the
North Carolina Constitution?
• How can North Carolina’s Constitution be changed? Who can change it?
• What services must the state provide according to the North Carolina Constitution?
• Why is the North Carolina Constitution relevant to each of us?

Students will explore the reasons North Carolina Constitution of 1776 needed reform, noting the changes to the NC Constitution that were made in the Constitutional Convention of 1835. Students will then apply what they have learned by assuming the role of North Carolina Governor David L. Swain and delivering a persuasive speech to the NC legislature on why the 1835 Constitutional Convention is necessary.