Unit 3: Historical Development and Practice of the US Constitution

Essential Questions

Enduring Understandings

Students understand that...

What makes a government fail or succeed?

• • The Constitution is a Living Document.

  • People want and need organization and leadership.

  • Local, State, and National Governments each have Roles and Responsibilities.

  • In a democracy, citizens (individually and collectively) influence government.

  • The Constitution attempts to balance the rights of individuals with the common good.

  • American Democracy evolved to avoid abuse of power.

Knowledge

Students know....

Skills

Students will be able to...

• • vocabulary and key terms connected to the development of the U.S. Constitution

  • how to analyze primary and secondary sources

  • citing evidence pulled from reliable sources

  • the purpose of government

Key Vocabulary

• constitution

• confederation

• compromise

• ratify

• republic

• bill

• overrule

• veto

• impeach

• due process

• amendment

• bill of rights

Key Terms/Events

• Articles of Confederation

• Constitutional Convention

• James Madison

• Great Compromise

• 3/5 Compromise

• Bill of Rights

• separation of powers

• checks and balances

• federalism

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

• • writing to answer questions

  • understand the principles of the Constitution

  • compare and contrast two documents

  • complete a graphic organizer

  • draw conclusions from images

  • pair/share information and conclusions

  • participate in a jigsaw experience

  • Participate in a stations activity

  • integrate information from several sources

  • present their project to their peers

Performance Task

US DBQ Assessment 4: Ratifying the Constitution (pg. 15)

Analyzing the Great Compromise (Gilder Lehrman)

Conflict Over Ratifying the Constitution (Gilder Lehrman)

Other Evidence

• • Challenges Facing the New Nation Lesson (BOCES)

  • Conflict and Compromise at the Constitutional Convention Lesson (BOCES)

  • Bill of Rights Lesson (BOCES)

  • Electoral College Lesson (BOCES)

These lessons are aligned with the unit goals. They are intended for center work, whole group and/or small group instruction. Lessons that meet the same objectives can be used in place of the ones below.

Technology and Resources

Articles of Confederation (Milestone Documents)

U.S. Constitution (Milestone Documents)

The Federalist Papers (Milestone Documents)

Bill of Rights (Milestone Documents)

Are students protected by the 4th amendment? (Department Created Inquiry)

Shay's Rebellion (SHEG)

Did the Founders want the government to work? (Inquiry)

We the People (DocsTeach)

Compare and Contrast the original and revised Constitutions.

How do we elect a President? The Electoral College (Gilder Lehrman)