My Hero!
The students will prove with evidence the key features of the Constitution, by looking at the details of each article, and creating a colorful, media-designed Constitution booklet using their textbooks, web sites, and summary activity sheet.
SSUSH5.4 (10.4)- Explain the key features of the Constitution, specifically the Great Compromise, separation of powers (influence of Montesquieu), limited government, and the issue of slavery. Common Core Standard- Reading/10.3: Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.
Explore the Text! (In the Textbook) Utilizing Colorful Handouts! Looking into FREE Personal Pocket Constitutions! Researching In-Depth Sources on the Internet! Investigating New Media Outlets!
Laptops Smart Phones School Computer Lab, Public Library, and Home Computers Special Concessions for English Language Learners
Essential (or overarching ) Questions of the Lesson What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? Why did the colonists reject the idea of a constitution initially? What were the key components that won the colonists and the states over to a national constitution?
Low Research and explore web sites in class and for homework Medium Use Smart Phones, laptops, Smart Pads, or Class Computers and respond to Socrative App High Create and design a Personal Constitution Booklet with technology
The students will come into to class with the video & music of Whitney Houston singing, The National Anthem on the front screen. (Current event tie-in) You and I have our freedoms today because of this flag and one of America s founding documents we re studying about today, The United States Constitution.
QUESTION: What is YOUR definition of a constitution? (Take 3-5 responses) DEFINITION: Definition of CONSTITUTION 1: an established law or custom : ordinance 2: the physical makeup of the individual especially with respect to the health, strength, and appearance of the body <a hearty constitution> b : the structure, composition, physical makeup, or nature of something <the constitution of society> 3: the act of establishing, making, or setting up 4: the mode in which a state or society is organized; especially : the manner in which sovereign power is distributed 5 : the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it b : a written instrument embodying the rules of a political or social organization
Textbook Lesson-Pages 92-112-Forming a New Nation DI Lesson-Use PowerPoint LETS DISCUSS SOME OF THE KEY FEATURES of the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution (Use Comparison Handout) Also Cover: The Great Compromise, separation of powers (influence of Montesquieu), limited government, and the issue of slavery V
Articles of Confederation Please cite this source when appropriate: Feldmeth, Greg D. "U.S. History Resources" http://home.earthlink.net/~gfeld meth/ushistory.html (31 March 1998). Constitution Levying taxes Congress could request states to pay taxes Congress has right to levy taxes on individuals Federal courts Regulation of trade Executive No system of federal courts No provision to regulate interstate trade No executive with power. President of U.S. merely presided over Congress Court system created to deal with issues between citizens, states Congress has right to regulate trade between states Executive branch headed by President who chooses Cabinet and has checks on power of judiciary and legislature Amending document Representation of states Raising an army 13/13 needed to amend Articles Each state received 1 vote regardless of size Congress could not draft troops, dependent on states to contribute forces 2/3 of both houses of Congress plus 3/4 of state legislatures or national convention Upper house (Senate) with 2 votes; lower house (House of Representatives) based on population Congress can raise an army to deal with military situations Interstate commerce No control of trade between states Interstate commerce controlled by Congress Disputes between states Complicated system of arbitration Federal court system to handle disputes Sovereignty Sovereignty resides in states Constitution the supreme law of the land Passing laws 9/13 needed to approve legislation 50%+1 of both houses plus signature of President
GROUP BREAK OUTS (3-4 students in each) Compare & Contrast both documents: The AOC vs. Constitution (the original idea) put forth by Madison, Jay, and Hamilton. Q: Would you have sided with the Federalists or the Antifederalists at that time? Why? Appoint a time keeper, recorder, & spokesperson- Come back with your group s answer in 10 mins.
BIG IDEA: The U.S. Constitution was a more complete and democratic founding document than the Articles of Confederation. REALLY BIG IDEA: Countries of the world have constitutions but they take a lot time to create and implement Q: Can you think of any countries that are going through this process today?
Homework: PERSONAL CONSTITUTION BOOKLET-Create a Personal Constitution Booklet (a multi-colored front cover and in the booklet it contains summarized bullet-points of the 7 Articles, and Bill of Rights.) Use your personal computer, computer lab, class computer, or library computer for the assignment Exit Ticket: What is one thing new about a/the Constitution you learned today? (Use Socrative App or Paper Slip)
Giving EXTRA credit for Peer Partners to team up with another student for at least 20 minutes to help with media design homework! Help Tutor English Language Learners and get an Extra TIME CERTIFICATE PASS for other homework assignments!
Informal & Formal Informal assessment through viewing student activity and participation with handouts, inquiry, and sociocultural theory breakout groups and put in teacher journal Formal assessment through the creative design project turned in 2 days and graded
Sociocultural theory applied in breakout groups Cognitive theory engaged through class inquiry as AOG and Constitution are analyzed and discussed Behaviorism employed through Peer Partners by publically and positively affirming and rewarding students for participation Behavioral Sociocultural Cognitive
Strengths: Interactivity, movement, inquiry! Weaknesses: lack of strong connectedness to the standards, total class participation
References Feldmeth, Greg D. "U.S. History Resources" Comparison Chart http://home.earthlink.net/~gfeldmeth/ushistory.html (31 March 1998). Constitution, http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/constitution Websites History Teaching Institute @ Ohio State University http://hti.osu.edu/