Wanted: A Just Right Government Print All Related Standards

Description

Students learn how the U.S. Constitution came to exist by looking at the tensions and differences of opinion that existed among early American states and citizens. Students learn about the Articles of Confederation, why the first “constitution” didn’t work, and how compromise led to the Constitution.

Note: this lesson includes an optional PowerPoint presentation (see Lesson Prep below).

Objectives

The student will be able to…

  • Identify how the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to the writing of the Constitution.
  • Compare different states' needs and interests.
  • Compare the Virginia Plan with the New Jersey Plan.
  • Compare the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution.

Lesson Prep

Print
the basic teacher and student materials. If you are using the Power Point option, this is all you will need to print.
Just Right Govt_Basic Materials.pdfapplication/pdf icon
Download
the Power Point presentation if you are using the Power Point version of the lesson.
Just Right Govt_ppt.pptapplication/vnd.ms-powerpoint icon
Print
the transparency materials if you are doing the overhead version of the lesson. You will need to create transparencies using the transparency masters in this document, and you will follow the included teacher's transparency guide.
Just Right Govt_Transparency Materials.pdfapplication/pdf icon

Step by Step

ANTICIPATE with a quick poll of the class. Ask students, “Imagine we were going to have a class ice cream party and we could only have one kind of ice cream. How many people would want chocolate? Strawberry? Cookie dough?” After the poll, ask students whether they think it would be possible to get everyone to agree. What about if the class could have two flavors? Three? Would it be possible to at least satisfy everyone, even if they don’t get their very favorite flavor? Tell students they are going to learn how the U.S. government was created, and that a lot of the process had to do with getting people to agree on things. 

DISTRIBUTE one “Wanted—A ‘Just Right’ Government” guided notes worksheet to each student.

READ the introduction paragraph on the guided notes worksheet.

WORK THROUGH the guided notes worksheet using either the Power Point presentation or the overhead transparencies. If you are using overhead transparencies, keep them covered with a sheet of paper and uncover the parts you need as you go. 

DISTRIBUTE one crossword worksheet to each student.

ALLOW time for students to complete the crossword.

REVIEW the answers with the class if you wish.

CLOSE by asking students to silently recall one problem with the Articles of Confederation that the Constitution solved. Conduct a check for understanding by having students write down or share their answers.

Recommended Sequence

Before: 
Hey, King: Get Off Our Backs!
After: 
Colonial Influences

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