Geneva Fifth Graders Take a Close Look at the U.S. Constitution

Mark Danielson’s class took a virtual trip to Washington, D.C., on May 7, 2008. Using videoconference technology in their classroom, students spoke with long-distance instructor David Rosenbaum, Education Specialist for the National Archives.

With a document camera, Mr. Rosenbaum showed original documents and photographs of historical events.  In the top image, left, the pen points to the Archives building, beyond the U.S. Capital.  Mr. Rosenbaum stands in front of the building in the top middle photograph.

During the videoconference, students see Mr. Rosenbaum live in his office. He shows them a section of the Constitution with George Washington’s handwriting in a margin note.  The Picture in Picture images show the camera’s view of the class.

Students study the articles of the Constitution to find language relating to displayed documents.

They see the original game board for “Monopoly,” showing its patent application stamp. Students locate the words in Article I, Section 8:

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts…by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries

Students are intrigued by orginal documents such as a map of the Louisiania Purchase,

and an FBI finger print sheet. When Mr. Rosenbaum zooms in, they see a famous signature—that of Rosa Parks.

There are educational videoconference programs available from many zoos, aquariums, museums

and historical sites, but they charge significant fees.  The National Archives are owned and managed by the U.S. Government, so this videoconference was absolutely free.

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