SHH! WE'RE
WRITING
THE CONSTITUTION!
This unit is developed by
Maggie Tatum and Diana Dyal for ECED 4400 OWA.
This web site is designed
for third and fourth grade levels, but could be modified to fit any classroom.
Ever wonder
what the adults are talking about when they say things about the government?
Or what it means when people say something is constitutional? This web
site is a way to find out what they are talking about.
This unit will
discuss the story of the constitution of the United States of America.
You will read about its history, the president of the convention, the "Father
of the Constitution," the laws that govern our nation, and much more. Join
us through this journey of forming a more perfect union.
Table
Of Contents
Introduction
to the Unit
This unit is
designed to teach students about the Constitution of the United States
of America. The Constitution is ever-present in our lives. Through this
web site you will learn how the Constitution came to be written and ratified.
This important document sets out rules for how our government works. It
lists important rights that U.S. citizens have by law and enjoy today.
The Constitution was written more than two hundred years ago starting with
thirteen colonies. Now with the U.S. consisting of fifty-one states the
Constitution has united the people of the United States. "One country,
one constitution, one destiny." Hon. Daniel Webster, Senate speech, 1837.
Unit
Outcomes
Students are
expected to learn who the Constitution belongs to and who does it govern,
the branches of government, facts about articles and amendments. Students
will use valuable resources that will help them with their study and projects
on the United States Constitution.
Link
to Lessons
|
LESSON
1
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A More Perfect Union.
This is a language arts lesson where the students will listen to a story
about the Constitution of the United States and write their own class constitution. |
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LESSON
2
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Focus on the Founding
Fathers.This is a focus lesson where the students will read about the
signers of the Constitution of the United States of America and they will
assume the role of one of the historical figures and write a simulated
journal. |
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LESSON
3
|
Are We There Yet? This
is a lesson where the students will take a real field trip to the National
Constitution Center. The students will develop a brochure for the
center after the field trip. |
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LESSON
4
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Georgia to Pennsylvania.
This
is a geography lesson where the students will apply map skills to follow
the route the delegates took to the convention. |
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LESSON
5
|
Collaborate to Communicate.
This is a collaborative in which, the students will work in small
groups to do research on the Constitution and complete a group project. |
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LESSON
6
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Rewriting the Bill of
Rights.This
lesson is designed for students to learn about the Constitution and the
Bill of Rights. The students will write their own version of the
Bill of Rights. |
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LESSON
7
|
Are You a Federalist
or an Anti-Federalist. This lesson is an inquiry lesson that involves
the United States Constitution and its Bill of Rights. |
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LESSON
8
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Taking a Tour through
the United States Government.This
lesson is a technology lesson that allows the students to take a virtual
field trip of concerning the United States Government. |
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LESSON
9
|
Where are you located?
This lesson is a geography lesson and integrates the United States
Constitution in Social Studies. |
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LESSON
10
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Researching the United
States Constitution.This lesson is a research lesson that allows the
students to use different resources to learn about the United States Constitution. |
Web
sites
Books
A Million
This is a web site where
parents, students, and teachers can search and buy books, games, and magazines,
etc. Teachers can find books and games on the United States Constitution.
|
Scholastic
This is web site where parents,
students, and teachers can go and find activities, books, lesson plans,
and so much more! Students can find information on the United States Constitution
and teachers can find lesson plans on the topic.
|
The
Charters of Freedom
This is a web site that
gives historical information and facts concerning the United States Constitution.
Teachers and students can use this web site to deepened their understanding
of the Constitution.
|
Patriotism
This is a web site that
gives many links to different topics relating to the United States Constitution.
Several related topics include: Exploring Patriotism, Symbols of American
Freedom, Presidents, Patriotic Music, Critical Thinking Ideas, and much
more.
|
Maps
that Teach
This is a web site that
includes full range maps of countries, continents, capitals, monuments,
mountains, rivers, etc. Student will gain a permanent mental map
of the U.S. and it's geography. Students will learn the U.S. and world
geography by using interactive maps.
|
Geography
Resources
This is web site whether
students and teachers can learn and print out maps on the U.S. and world
geography. The students can take a U.S. map quiz. The web site also has
interactive maps that show landforms, etc.
|
Congress
for Kids
This is a web site designed
to provide activities for students who are learning about the
Constitution of the United
States. This web site contains games, mazes, puzzles,
quizzes, matching, and challenge
boards.
|
National
Constitution Center
This is web site designed
for parents, teachers, and students to learn more about their Constitution.
This web site provides information concerning visiting the museum.
|
Our
Documents
This is a web site that
students can use to extend their knowledge of the United States Constitution.
Students can explore 100 milestone documents and vote on which one(s) they
think helped shaped America.
|
U.S.
Constitution
This is web site that students
can use to research the timeline events, background information, and changes
in the Constitution. This information will allow the students to review
their knowledge about the Constitution.
|
Education
Place
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/
This website includes a variety of graphic
organizers that are in PDF
form. Click on KWL chart for this lesson.
|
White
House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
This website contains information about the White House of the United States.
It also allows one to learn about the events taking place in today's government
around the world. You can take a tour of histroy as well.
|
House
of Representatives
http://www.house.gov/
This website contains information
about the House of Representatives such as general house information, new
websties, schedules, and legislative operations.
|
The
Senate
http://www.Senate.gov/
This website contains information
about the Senators of government. One can find information on art
and history, senators, records, committiees, etc.
|
The
United States Courts
http://www.uscourts.gov/
This website contains information
about the U.S. courts: Supreme, Courts of Appeals, Bankruptcy, District
Courts.
|
U.
S. Constitution
http://www.constitutionfacts.com/cons.shtml
This website includes facts about the Constitution. It also contains
crossword puzzles, famous quotes, dates to remember, exams, glossary of
terms, etc.
|
The United States Constitution
http://www.fathermag.com/US_Constitution/00_main.shtml
This webpage includes information
about the United States Constitution. It contains the United States
Preamble and the United States Constitution and its ammendments.
|
United
States Constitution
http://www.fathermag.com/topics/homework/
This webpage includes information about the United
States Constitution. It contains the complete test of the United States
Constitution.
|
The
United States Constitution
http://www.questia.com/Index.jsp?CRID=u.s._constitution&OFFID=se5
This webpage includes information about the United
States
Constitution. This is
The World's Largest
Online Library and contains a variety of resources about the United States
Constitution.
|
The United States Constitution
http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?action=openPageViewer&docId=15310071
This
webpage includes information about the United
States Constitution.
There are printable versions of the United States Constitution.
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Children's
Books
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Title of book
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Author/Illustrator
|
Annotation
|
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Shh! We're Writing the Constitution
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Jean Fritz/ Tomie dePaola
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Describes how the Constitution came to
be written and ratified. Also includes full text of the document produced
by the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
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A More Perfect Union
The Story of Our Constitution
|
Betsy and Giulio Maestro
|
Describes how the Constitution was drafted
and ratified.
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Enough Wise Men
The Story of Our Constitution
|
Forrest McDonald
|
Vividly and dramatically, author Forrest
McDonald tells the story of a group of extraordinary men-some wise, but
others foolish, proud, selfish. Fortunately there were enough wise men
finally to bring into being in 1787 that great living document of freedom,
the U.S. Constitution.
|
The Great Constitution
A book for young Americans
|
Henry Steele Commager
|
An important addition to Dr. Commager's
The
Great Declaration and The Great Proclamation, The Great Constitution
gives all the color and the truth and the nobility of the Constitutional
Convention.
|
|
Bill of Rights
|
Richard Conrad Stein, R. Conrad
Stein
|
Discusses the first ten amendments to
the Constitution and the rights which they are intended to protect. The
Cornerstones of Freedom detail important events in United States history.
Children are given the sense of being witnesses to history-in-the-making
and contemporaries of famous people who helped shape the United States
into the world power it is today. Includes an index.
|
|
We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution
of the United States
|
David Catrow
|
We the Kids follows three adorable youngsters
and one remarkable dog as they get ready for a camping adventure in the
great outdoors. What makes this adventure different is that it is told
through the Preamble. Just as the historical document starts out with "We
the People of the United States," we're introduced to the children and
their energetic pooch friend, who is standing by with a gargantuan, overloaded
backpack. As the Preamble goes on, then, so does the story: They find themselves
forming a More Perfect Union by finding their camping site, promoting the
General Welfare by telling stories around a campfire, and securing the
blessings of Liberty by settling down for a good night's sleep – all in
the backyard under the watchful eyes of two parents.
|
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The. U.S. Constitution and You
|
Syl Sobel
|
It tells boys and girls about the great
American document itself—explaining exactly what the Constitution does,
as well as how it affects and protects people today. Kids discover how
the Constitution provides for the federal government's three branches—legislative,
executive, and judicial. Then they see how it gives all citizens many rights,
including the right to vote, to enjoy freedom of speech and the press,
to worship—or not worship—according to one's religious beliefs, to disagree
openly with government policy, and to defend oneself in courts of law when
accused of crimes or civil wrongs. Kids also see how, according to the
Constitution, many rights are kept beyond control of the federal government,
and are reserved for the separate states, communities, and individuals.
This book's language is clear and simple. It cites many examples that relate
directly to each student's own experiences.
|
|
If You Were There When They Signed the
Constitution
|
Elizabeth Levy, Richard Rosenblum
(Illustrator), Joan Holub (Illustrator)
|
In a lively question and answer format,
readers are taken behind the locked doors of the Philadelphia State House
during the dramatic Constitutional Convention.
|
|
We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution
of the United States
|
David Catrow
|
We the Kids follows three adorable youngsters
and one remarkable dog as they get ready for a camping adventure in the
great outdoors. What makes this adventure different is that it is told
through the Preamble. Just as the historical document starts out with "We
the People of the United States," we're introduced to the children and
their energetic pooch friend, who is standing by with a gargantuan, overloaded
backpack. As the Preamble goes on, then, so does the story: They find themselves
forming a More Perfect Union by finding their camping site, promoting the
General Welfare by telling stories around a campfire, and securing the
blessings of Liberty by settling down for a good night's sleep – all in
the backyard under the watchful eyes of two parents.
|
|
Bill of Rights: The First Ten
Amendments of the Constitution
|
David L. Hudson
|
Traces the history of the writing of
the first ten amendments to the Constitution, and examines each amendment's
provisions and applications in detail.
|
Teacher
References
|
Picture of Reference
|
Title
|
Author/Illustrator
|
Annotation
|
|
Goode's World Atlas
20th Edition
|
John C. Hudson
|
This world atlas was used to help me
prepare a geography lesson on the location of where the Constitution was
drafted and signed.
|
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Constitution Translated For Kids
|
Cathy Travis
|
Constitution Translated for Kids is a
line-by-line, section-by-section simple translation of the entire United
States Constitution, written at the 5th grade level. The book features
the actual 1787 text of the United States Constitution on the left-hand
side of the page and the translation appears on the right side in the first
ever side-by-side, simple translation of the short, yet most supreme, legal
and political document of the United States.
|
|
The Constitution of the United States
|
Karen Judson
|
Discusses the history and importance
of the United States Constitution and how it is applied to decision making
and laws in America.
|
|
picture not available
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Our Constitution
|
Linda Carlson Johnson
|
Describes the creation of the document
which sets out the rules of government for our country.
|
|
picture not available
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The Constitution of the United States
of America
|
Two Volume Video Package
Library Distributions of America, Inc.
|
This video features a two hour guide
through the Constitution.
|
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picture not available
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Preamble to the U.S. Constitution
|
Douglas M. Rife and Bron Smith
|
This book is designed to introduce students
to the Preamble of the Constitution through a variety of activities that
test comprehension and understanding of the basic concepts found in the
Constitution.
|
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United States Constitution Teaching Resources
|
Mrs. Hamilton
|
This web site provides a variety of resources
concerning the United States of America.
http://www.wellesley.mec.edu/wms/library/pages/projects/
constitution/pages/teaching_resources.htm
|
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picture not available
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United States Constitution
Multimedia Collection CD |
Teacher and Parent Created
|
This CD-ROM contains hundreds of exportable
items photographs, drawings, documents, video clips, and audio clips. Teachers
and students can search by keyword or browse by topic or media type.
|
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picture not available
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The Constitution of the United States:
A Pathfinder for 5th Grade
|
--
|
This Web site includes Print Resources Books
and Magazines
There are several books for kids about the
U. S. Constitution.
http://nb.wsd.wednet.edu/lmc/pathfinders/constitution_pathfinder.htm#Videos |
|
picture not available
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The Constitution of the United States:
A Pathfinder for 5th Grade
|
--
|
This Web site includes a variety of Videos,
CD-ROM, Laser discs, etc. There are several games and informational programs
for kids about the U. S. Constitution.
http://nb.wsd.wednet.edu/lmc/pathfinders/
constitution_pathfinder.htm#Videos
|
|
The Constitution of the United States:
A Pathfinder for 5th Grade
|
--
|
This Web site includes a variety of Online
Resources Internet Sites. There is a variety of internet sites for
teachers about the U. S. Constitution.
http://nb.wsd.wednet.edu/lmc/pathfinders/
constitution_pathfinder.htm#Videos
|
Pre/Post
Test
1. Describe
what happened at the signing of the Constitution?
2. What was
the problem with the Virginia Plan?
a. the delegates were not cooperating
b. no one signed it
c. the big states held all the power
d. the small states held all the power
3. Name one
of the delegates who signed the Constitution. Briefly give a description
of the signer.
4. How many
delegates signed the final draft of this Constitution?
a. 6
b. 13
c. 2
d. 16
5. What city
is the National Constitution Center located?
a. Philadelphia
b. Pennsylvania
c. United States
d. Lancaster
6. What was
the most interesting thing about the National Constitution Center? Why?
7. Where did
the journey of some the delegates begin and end? Include all states they
traveled through.
a. Philadelphia to Atlanta
b. Pennsylvania to Georgia
c. Georgia to Pennsylvania
d. Waycross to Pennsylvania
8. Using the
information that you collected about the delegates' route, design your
own route
that you would
have traveled in order to arrive at the convention.
9. What is
one thing new that you learned through the research or presentation.
10. Overall,
did you enjoy this unit on the Constitution?
a. No
b. somewhat
c. Yes
d. no answer
11. Why did
the United States Constitution include the set of Bill of Rights?
12. How
many amendments are included in the Bill of Rights?
a. 8
b. 4
c. 10
d. 12
13. What are
the different elements and information that you can find on maps?
14. How many
people signed the United States Constitution?
15. What are
the different branches of government?
16. What is
the importance of a government?
17. Who are
the Federalists and Anit-Federalists?
18. Who was
James Madison?
a. Federalists
b. Anti-Federalists
c. a senator
d. the President
19. Describe
the branches of the United States government.
20. Name the
different Courts of the United States.