From the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution

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Unit At A Glance

This unit designed for the fifth grade includes three detailed lessons beginning with the definition of democracy and continues until students, as delegates, write a new constitution in the year 2777.

 

California Content Standards

This unit is designed to address the following California State Board of Education's content standards for History-Social Science. See below for specific standards addressed. For more information on the standards, or to see the complete list, please visit: www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/


Content Standards

5.7
5.7.1.
5.7.3.
5.7.4  

Click here to get more details on these standards and Common Core information


 

Big Ideas/Essential Questions

BIG IDEAS

The strength of a democracy is equal to the strength of its citizens


E Pluribus Unum:  out of many, one


Through actions come change, and change in the political process involves participation.  (The political process involves participation; understanding requires student engagement.  Integration and application of new learning in multiple learning modalities helps students deepen understanding.) 


ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS/ISSUES

1. Does social capital strengthen a republic?


2. Is citizenship a right or responsibility?


3. Can a society exist peacefully without a democratic system?


4. How might our country be different today if the Articles of Confederation had not been replaced with the Constitution?

Concepts and Skills Students Will Learn

Note: The basic elements and design of creating a PowerPoint have been taught prior to this unit.

Lesson One—Our Government Today… What a System! 

  1. Meaning of democracy
  2. Principles of the Constitution
  3. Three Branches of Government
  4. First Ten Amendments
  5. Constitution is a “Living Document”

Lesson Two—Articles of Confederation…Well, They Were Trying! 

  1. The Articles of Confederation
  2. The shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation


Lesson Three—A New Constitution...Your Turn!

  1. Closing authentic assessment and rubric
  2. Students create a Constitution for the United States in the year 2777


End of Unit Assessment