USF's WebQuest
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| Unit Summary | Teacher's Resources | Day 1 Lesson | Day 2 Lesson |
| Day 3 Lesson | Day 4 Lesson | Day 5 Lesson | Conclusion |
| Student's Web Quest |
WebQuest Title: The Lost Government & Constitution Framers Webquest
Grade Level: 9-12
Dear Colleague:
This unit is designed to help students understand the Articles of Confederation. In specific, the unit will focus on the weaknesses of the Articles which ultimately led to their failure, as well as, the need for the U.S. Constitution. Students will study events such as Shay's Rebellion to better understand the weaknesses of the Articles. In addition, students will be exposed to the debate of how power should be divided amongst states and the federal government. The unit includes a webquest that will enable students to explore the importance of constitutions, how one is constructed , as well as, actually draft one.
Author: Brian Lattin
Date: April 15, 2006
Unit Summary:
Goals/Objectives:
1. Students will understand the Declaration of Independence and the need for a new government after the colonies renounced their connection from Great Britain.
2. Students will understand the Articles of Confederation.
3. Students will be able to identify the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the challenges to governing through them.
4. Students will understand why constitutions for any kind of organization are necessary.
NCSS Themes:
1. NSS-C.5-8.2 Foundations of the Political System
2. NSS-C.5-8.3 Principles of Democracy
Days: 5 (60 minutes)
Content: The content will focus
on the need for a new government after the American Revolution was over.
The content will focus on our first constitution, the Articles of Confederation.
The weaknesses of the Articles will be specifically addressed in the unit.
The content will set the stage for the United States Constitution to be
addressed in further units.
Methods: Lecture, Class discussion, Cooperative learning, PowerPoint, Internet Webquest, Group presentations, Assessments.
WebQuest Summary:
Goals/Objectives:
1. Students will use the internet to research constitution templates.
2. Students will use the internet to view examples of constitutions for different clubs and organizations.
Days: 2
Content: Students will research websites learning how constitutions, for any organization, are written and constructed. In addition, students will explore examples of constitutions that have been written for various clubs and organizations.
Methods: Students, in groups, will use the designated websites to gather material and information to assist them in their efforts to draft a constitution for a club or organization of their choice. The groups will present their constitution to the class. In addition, there will be a one page paper that will be individually turned in.
Unit Information:
Unit Lesson Sequence
Day 1 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Bell Assignment: Journal Writing to access prior knowledge. What has been the impact of the Declaration of Independence on your life? Lecture Lecture will focus on the Declaration of Independence and the events that led the Articles of Confederation and the need for a new government. Some key concepts that will be covered are taxation without representation, the Stamp Act, Townsend Acts, and the Boston Tea Party (should serve as a review from a previous unit). Cause and Effect Handout Class Discussion A new government is needed. Group discussion centered on the fear that existed of a strong national government. Why did this fear exist?
Day 2 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Bell Assignment KWL Chart on the Articles of Confederation KWL Chart Lecture Each student will be given a copy of the Articles. They will be read out loud and discussed more in depth by the teacher. See background Resources to obtain a copy of the Articles Cooperative Learning Activity In small groups students will be asked to answer certain questions pertaining to the Articles of Confederation. These questions are constructed so that students will begin to see the weaknesses of the Articles and the challenges to governing through them. Questions Class Discussion Group discussion on the questions and answers specifically identifying the weaknesses of the Articles. Shay's Rebellion will be discussed by the teacher further pointing to the hardships of governing through the Articles. The need for a stronger federal government should becoming apparent to students. Students should start to realize why the Constitutional Convention was necessary. Homework Students will write a one page paper answering this question: Do you think the United States would have become a world power if the Articles of Confederation had remained the basis of government? Explain the reasons for your opinion. Textbook and Notes
Day 3 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Bell Assignment: Turn in Homework Assignment in designated area and do a Journal Entry Journal Topic: Do you find the internet useful for school related purposes? Why or why not? PowerPoint Lecture What is a Webquest? Do's and Don'ts in the computer lab PowerPoint Begin Interactive Webquest Framing a Constitution! Student Webquest
Day 4 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Interactive Webquest Students will continue working on creating their group's Constitution, as well as, individually composing their paper on the difficulties a nation or organization would face if a constitution was absent. Student Webquest
Day 5 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Student Presentations Students will present their Constitution to the class. Students will turn in their one page paper. Class Discussion Concluding thoughts on the student presentations. Students should be prepared to start learning about the U.S. Constitution in a following unit.
After this unit, students will have a firm understanding of the Articles of Confederation. Students will know why the Articles failed and why the United States Constitution was necessary. In addition, students will understand why constitutions are necessary for an organization to properly function.
Credits/References: