×
<< BACK TO THE TEACH HUB

Trying Self Government

Lesson Plan

What was the new nation’s first stab at a written constitution? Find out about America's first written rules: the Articles of Confederation. In this lesson, students will learn about the Articles of Confederation's problems and solutions, as well as how its downfalls impacted the writing and ideas in the U.S. Constitution.  

iCivics en español! Student and class materials for this lesson are available in Spanish.

 

Pedagogy Tags

Teacher Resources

Get access to lesson plans, teacher guides, student handouts, and other teaching materials.

Trying Self Government Articles of Confederation Problems Lesson Plan 01 - Pair Discussion Student Activity
Trying Self Government Articles of Confederation Problems Lesson Plan 03 - Reading
Trying Self Government Articles of Confederation Problems Lesson Plan 08 - Student Activity
Trying Self Government Articles of Confederation Problems Lesson Plan 08
Trying Self Government Articles of Confederation Problems Lesson Plan 03 - Reading
Trying Self Government Articles of Confederation Problems Lesson Plan 08 - Student Activity

Related Resources

  • Lesson Plan

    Race to Ratify Extension Pack

    Make your students’ gameplay more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically for Race to Ratify. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts. That means deeper learning for students and best practices around game-centered learning for you! Extension Packs require PowerPoint and are designed for use with projectors or interactive whiteboards.  
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Separate and Sovereign

    The relationship between Native nations and the U.S. federal government is important to understand. This mini-lesson provides an overview of tribal sovereignty from the past to the present. It also introduces students to the controversy surrounding the federal approval of construction projects that affect tribal land.How to use this lesson: Use this lesson by itself or pair it with more iCivics resources, like the Supreme Court case Lyng v. Northwest Cemetery Protective Association (1988) or our Tribal Government lesson. For more suggestions, see the downloadable teacher resources below.
    View kami
  • DBQuest

    The Constitution's Cover Letter

    In 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention decided that it was time for a change. A new plan for government was outlined in the Constitution, and it was George Washington's job to present this document to Congress. As with any important document, the Constitution was delivered with a letter of introduction. Part background, part persuasion, Washington's cover letter provides a behind-the-scenes look at how a new government came to be designed. 
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Wanted: A Just Right Government

    Look at the tensions and differences of opinion that existed among early American states and citizens.Learn about the Articles of Confederation, why the first “constitution” didn’t work, and how compromise led to the Constitution.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!  
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    We're Free... Let's Grow!

    With the end of the Revolutionary War, America’s geographical size doubled… but how should new territory be added to the United States? Learn about the issues raised by this American “first” and the challenges the nation faced with its new Northwest Territory.
    View kami

See how it all fits together!

View Scope and Sequence