Fifth-grade students across Papillion La Vista Community Schools have been deeply engaged in studying the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and the U.S. Constitution as part of their comprehensive social studies curriculum. This foundational unit provides students with crucial understanding of American history and civic principles at a developmentally appropriate level.

As a special component of this unit, each fifth grader receives their own copy of the U.S. Constitution—a tangible connection to the document that continues to shape American governance and society. Students are encouraged to highlight and annotate their copies, creating a personal reference that they can keep beyond the unit.

Superintendent Dr. Rikli, drawing on his background as a former Government teacher, has been visiting elementary schools to speak with students about the U.S. form of government and the importance of the Constitution. During a recent visit to Trumble Park at La Vista West, Dr. Rikli employed an inquiry-based approach, engaging students by first assessing what they already knew, then discovering what they wanted to learn, and finally reflecting on what they had learned during the session.

During these interactive presentations, students demonstrate their growing knowledge of concepts like the three branches of government, checks and balances, and constitutional amendments. Dr. Rikli supplements the curriculum with age-appropriate examples that help students connect historical principles to contemporary governance issues they might recognize from news or family discussions. The superintendent's involvement adds a unique dimension to the learning experience, as students see district leadership taking a direct interest in their civic education.