North Idaho students encouraged to know their rights

Eighth-grade students across North Idaho each received a free, pocket-sized copy of the U.S. Constitution on Thursday morning as part of a special Constitution Day lesson.

Tony Cox, a U.S. history teacher at Canfield Middle School in Coeur d'Alene, used the opportunity to introduce his students to the Fourth Amendment, which protects individuals in the U.S. from unreasonable searches and seizures.

“I think everyone should have their own pocket copy of the Constitution,” said Cox, “and if they don’t get it elsewhere, why not get it here in eighth grade, when they are starting their adult career, heading into high school and beyond?”

The nonprofit organization 917 Society donated the pocket constitutions, and Idaho District 2 state Rep. Dale Hawkins ordered them. Members of the Idaho Freedom Caucus coordinated with the Department of Education to distribute over 3,000 constitutions. 

District 4 state Rep. Elaine Price brought the constitutions to school district offices to be distributed to each eighth-grade class on Constitution Day.

“Hopefully they will take the time to look at it, and learn, and get to know it,” said Price. “Some people connect better when it’s right there in their hands.”

Cox used the first 10 minutes of each class period on Thursday to distribute the pocket constitutions to all 130 of his students. He began each lesson by encouraging students to collaborate in small groups and come up with a definition of the Constitution.

Cox was impressed by the first group’s thoughtful and articulate response.

“Guys I’m tearing up a little here,” Cox said, pretending to wipe his eyes. “That was such a beautiful answer.”

While flipping through the pages of their pocket constitutions, students received a brief introductory lesson on the Constitution from Cox. He focused on the Fourth Amendment as an example and helped students understand the text. He provided real-life examples and encouraged students to consider how the Fourth Amendment might apply in their own lives.

“I learned how much the Constitution means to us and how that affects our rights and our liberties as American citizens,” said eighth-grade student Preston Pool, “and I think that’s very important for us to remember.”

Pool said he plans to keep his copy of the Constitution and read it at home.

“It's great for every single kid to at least have an idea about what the Constitution tells us,” said Cox, “prior to going into detail about the Constitution later in the year.”

Thursday’s Constitution Day lesson was a preamble to the eighth graders' six-week unit on the Constitution, which they will begin in the winter. Cox said it is one of the most important units of the year, and students will have the opportunity to act as members of Congress and deliberate on real-life issues.

Price said this is the first year she has helped deliver the pocket constitutions, though she has helped fundraise to provide them to students in the past. 

“The only way our government is held accountable is when people know their rights,” said Price. “If we don’t teach it to our kids, it will eventually erode.”

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    Eighth grade students Amelia Weed, Trent Tripp, Paige Gravelle, and Natalie Mulkins examine their new pocket constitutions at Canfield Middle School Thursday morning.