Title: The Birth of a New Idea: The United States Constitution
Grade: 6-8th
Author:
Raechel Alequin
Date:Ý April 25, 2005
Teacher's Page
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Dear Colleague:
This unit is designed to establish an understanding of the government within our United States Constitution. The three different types of government as well as the founders of our constitution will be discussed.
Goals/Objectives:
1. Students will be able to identify the three branches of government the United States utilizes, they will also learn about the writers ofÝ the constitution and compare the different provisions within it.
2. Students will be able to identify the steps taken in the Constitution to prevent the abuse of power and be able to explain why the Constitution is considered to be a flexible document.
3. Students will also be able to construct their own constitution through following the procedures taken to create our current one.
NCSS Theme:
Time, Continuity, and Change; Culture; Individuals, Groups, and Institutions; Power, Authority, and Governance
Days:
FIVE
Content:
The United States
Constitution
Methods:
Lecture, Fryer
Model using vocabulary, Silent Reading, Read Aloud, Social Interaction Group
work), Writing activity:
ÝÝ ìDear Diaryî, Questioning activity,
K-W-L
WEBQUEST SUMMARY:
Goals/Objectives:
1. Student will be able to search through the internet and take the necessary steps so that they will learn about the constitution, how itÝ wasÝ created, who were the founding fathers, and why this is such an important document in our history.
2. Students will then be able to use the Constitution as an example and create their own constitution.
3. Students will
follow the precedent of our constitution; list the
reasons for creating a constitution, and create a preamble. They will also
include their own Bill of Rights.
Days:
TWO
Content:
The United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, Preamble
Methods:
Students will be split into groups of four and begin to form their own constitution
Unit Information:
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Background Resources |
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Web-based Subject Matter Content |
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http://www.constitutioncenter.org/explore/The U.S.Constitution/index.shtml |
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http://www.lawcornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html |
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http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?Mode=Constitution&Submenu=3&Tab=statutesÝÝÝÝÝ |
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Web Pedagogy Content |
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http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/webquest/webquest.htm |
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Other Resources: |
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Bill of Rights |
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Preamble to the Constitution |
Unit Lesson Sequence
Lesson Plan Outline
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Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) |
Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts |
Materials |
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Anticipation Guide: Constitution |
This is a graphic organizer with two columns in it. The students will gain a slight insight into the topic of the next five days. |
Handout |
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Lecture |
Introduction to the topic of the Constitution |
Textbook |
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Purpose Setting Activity: Vocabulary/ Fryer Model |
Students will use the Fryer Model in learning new vocabulary words for this chapter. |
Handout |
Lesson Plan Outline
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Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) |
Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts |
Materials |
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Silent Reading: Chapter Text |
Students will read their part of the text relating to the Constitution |
Textbook |
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Brief Lecture |
Lecture of the three branches of government, the constitution and its role in our society, the founding fathers, and the purpose of the Bill of Rights |
Textbook |
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Read Aloud: Bill of Rights |
Students will take turns reading aloud the Bill of Rights |
Day 3 BACK
TO TOP
Lesson Plan Outline
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Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) |
Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts |
Materials |
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Read Aloud: Preamble to the Constitution |
Students will read aloud the preamble to the constitution and understand the meaning behind it. |
Handout, Textbook |
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Lecture |
Power point presentation on the Constitution |
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Social Interaction: Creating a new Constitution/Webquest |
Students will split into groups of four and begin to form their own constitution. Roles will be assigned and they will follow the precedent of our own constitution. |
Internet, Textbook, Various materials |
Day 4 BACK
TO TOP
Lesson Plan Outline
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Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) |
Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts |
Materials |
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Discussion: |
Students will then share their newly created own constitution. They will explain how they came to their finished solution and what methods they used and why. |
Completed constitution |
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Writing Activity: "Dear Diary" |
Students will engage in a "Dear Diary" situation. They will pretend they are one of the writers of the constitution. They will write the possible feelings of anxiety, pressure, and anticipation. Students will discuss their possible views and how they feel the constitution should be written. Also any dilemmas regarding this document should also be discussed. |
Paper, Pen |
Day 5 BACK
TO TOP
Lesson Plan Outline
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Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) |
Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts |
Materials |
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Questioning Activity: |
Students will be given a guided imagery. Students will imagine that they are alive and well back in 1776. The constitution has just been created. Students will begin to question the following: |
Handout |
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K-W-L |
Students will together go over K-W-L, to see what they have learned about the constitution and the bill of rights. |
K-W-L |
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Assessment |
Students will be given a quiz on the chapter covered as one part, and as a second assessment their interactive constitution will be counted |
Quiz |
Conclusion: After the completion of this unit students will have gained a clear understanding of the United States Constitution, and the purpose behind it. They will have learned what exactly the preamble to the Constitution is and what it means. How the Bill of Rights play an important role in our everyday lives and who the founding fathers are. Students will have learned key terms associated with this unit, and how the constitution was created. They will also have been given experience in creating their own constitution and will have been able to go through the various steps in creating one.