Researching the United States Constitution
      This is a two part lesson involving a collaborative activity and group presentations.  The students will work in groups to research all of the internet sites.   In this lesson students participate in an on-line scavenger hunt to research facts on the United States Constitution.  They will create posters and present presentations to the class based on their research.
 
 

Primary Learning Outcomes
What is the Constitution?
Why do we have a Constitution?
What has changed about the Constitution of the years?
 

Assessed QCC Standards:

Grade: 4
Character Education
Citizenship
8
Topic: Citizenship
Standard: Patriotism: support of the U.S. Constitution and love for the United States of America with zealous
guarding of their authority and interests. 8.1 Courage: willingness to face danger with determination. 8.2
Loyalty: steadfastness or faithfulness to a person, institution, custom or idea to which one is tied by duty,
pledge or a promise. 8.3 Honor: a keen sense of ethical conduct, one's word given as a guarantee of performance.
 

Grade: 4
Social Studies
Core Social Study Skills
33
Topic: Information Processing
Standard: Determines sequences of events and identifies cause and effect relationship.

Grade: 4
Technology Integration
Communication
10
Topic: Communication
Standard: Uses telecommunication tools and on-line resources to communicate with others, gather information,
and express ideas.
 

Procedures/Activities
 

Step:  1 Duration: 10 minutes
Discuss with students the definition of the word Constitution. Have students orally tell what they know about the United States Constitution.  Make a chart of the responses and discuss why and how these ideas are used to represent America.

Step:  2 Duration: 10 minutes
Make a KWL chart about the United States Constitution. Have students tell what they know (K). Students and teacher
can contribute to the column of What we want to know (W).

Step:  3 Duration: 15 minutes
Explain to students what a scavenger hunt on the Internet consists of. Explain that we will use the
internet to locate information about the United States Constitution. Use a scan converter and tv monitor to model how to move
from site to site researching information.

Example Web Resources for Step 3

     Title: Newcitizen.us
     URL: http://www.newcitizen.us/constitution.html
     Annotation: This webpage includes information about the United States Constitution.

     Title: The United States Constitution
     URL: http://www.fathermag.com/US_Constitution/00_main.shtml
     Annotation: This webpage includes information about the United States Constitution.

     Title: United States Constitution
     URL: http://www.fathermag.com/topics/homework/
     Annotation: This webpage includes information about the United States Constitution.

     Title: The United States Constitution
     URL: http://www.questia.com/Index.jsp?CRID=u.s._constitution&OFFID=se5
     Annotation: This webpage includes information about the United States Constitution.

     Title: The United States Constitution
     URL: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?action=openPageViewer&docId=15310071     Annotation: This webpage includes information about the United States Constitution.

Step:  4 Duration: 30 minutes
Depending on the number of computers available and your students' individual needs, this activity can
be done individually or with a partner. If there is only one computer available, this could be set up as a
center. If a lab setting is available or multiple computers are available, this could be done in one class
period. After you have modeled the procedures and given students procedures of when to use the
computer, let them begin and complete the scavenger hunt attached in step three.

Step:  5 Duration: 10 minutes
When students have completed the scavenger hunt, have them turn in their copy of the scavenger hunt
results.  Finish the KWL chart after completing the scavenger hunt.  Have a class discussion involving the new information found.
 

Materials and Equipment
Chart paper and markers, aver key scan converter, tv monitor, computer with
internet

Standards (Local and/or National)

Total Duration
1hour to an 1 hour and 15 minutes

Technology Connection
Students will use the internet to complete a scavenger hunt locating information on the United States Constitution.

Assessment
Students will turn in the completed scavenger hunt information.  They will create posters and present presentations to the class based on their research.

Extension
The students will create their own Constitution using the information found during the scavenger hunt.

Remediation
The teacher will help the struggling students.

Accommodation
This lesson can be modified accordingly.