Lesson Plan #:AELP-GOV0004

The Constitution - Behind Closed Doors

An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan

Submitted by: Judith L. Myers
School or Affiliation: West Junior High School, Boise, ID
Endorsed by: These lesson plans are the result of the work of the teachers who have attended the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshop. CEC is a consortium of teacher from 14 western states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States, and particularly the quality of math and science Education. CEC uses Big Sky Telegraph as the hub of their telecommunications network that allows the participating teachers to stay in contact with their trainers and peers that they have met at the Workshops.

Date: May 1994

Grade Level(s): 8, 9, 10, 11

Subject(s):

Description:

The formation of the Constitution in 1787, took place in a climate of conflicting values, as to the role of a national government and meeting the expectations of the states and the people. Each delegate contributed to the framework of the Constitution through deliberations, debates and compromises.

Goal:

These activities will promote investigation, research and debate. Through the process of simulation, students gain insight into the special interests delegates brought to the convention and the compromises made in order to form the most revolutionary document on the history of the world.

Objectives: The learner will be able to:

  1. Summarize the role of delegates at the Constitutional Convention.
  2. Identify ways conflicting values were resolved using compromises.
  3. Apply techniques of summarization, writing, research, and cognitive skills to process data.
Materials:

Kelly, Alfred H., Harbison, Winifred A., & Belz, Herman. The American Constitution: It's Origins and Development, W.W. Norton & Co., 1982.

Keller, Claire W. & Schillings, Denny L., edit. "Teaching about the Constitution", NCSS Bulletin No. 80, 1987.

Procedure:

  1. Assign the role of a key delegate to each student. Allow time for research in the following areas:

    1. Age at the time of the Convention
    2. Occupation, education, and marital status
    3. Member of the Continental Army
    4. Representative to the Continental Congress
    5. Signer of the following documents:

      1. Declaration of Independence
      2. Articles of Confederation
      3. Constitution

    6. Supporter of the Constitution
    7. Attitudes represented
    8. Other interesting highlights

    Summarize the report to the class.

  2. Divide the delegates according to small states (Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland and Connecticut), large states (Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia), and in between states (Georgia, New York, South Carolina). Allow the delegates in these states to decide their position. Once positions are established require delegates to debate in their role. Issues to be debated are:

    1. The Great Compromise
    2. Industrial vs. Agrarian interests
    3. State rights vs. Federalism
    4. 3/5 Compromise

  3. Adapt the Constitution to current ideals. Share these ideas with a representative (local, state, federal).

Tying it All Together:

This activity could effectively be used to introduce the format of the Constitution. Through the role model Classroom debates and compromises bring the Convention to life.