Social Studies - United States History I
Lesson Plans

U.S. I Strand 4: THE U. S. CONSTITUTION

(Ca. 1781-1789)

American independence brought with it the need for self-government. Dissatisfaction with inadequate early political structures led to the creation of the Constitution. The Constitutional Convention brought together the greatest political minds of the fledgling nation. Through debate and compromise, the Founding Fathers brought together in a unique way the principles and philosophies that had been theorized and tested for centuries. The Bill of Rights was then added, enumerating the rights of American citizens. In the end, the Constitution and Bill of Rights created the structure of a government that has functioned, survived crises, and evolved for over two centuries, affecting the life of every citizen today.

Possible Guiding Questions to Consider:

• What were the problems that led to the calling of a Constitutional Convention?
• What is the evidence that Enlightenment philosophies, the Articles of Confederation, Shays' rebellion, the Constitutional Convention, the Great Compromise, and the ratification debate all influenced the creation of the Constitution?
• What vision of civic virtue is evident in the Constitution?
• How does a compound constitutional republic balance state and federal powers?
• Why is James Madison sometimes referred to as "the Father of the Constitution"?
• What is the role of compromise in political processes?
• How has the U.S. Constitution influenced political structures around the world?
• In what ways can the U.S. Constitution be considered an exceptional document?

U.S. I Standard 4.2:

Students will describe the structure and function of the government that the Constitution creates.

• "A Glorious Liberty Document": The U.S. Constitution and Its Principles
  How are the republican principles of limited government, separation of powers, and checks and balances reflected in the U.S. Constitution?
• A Movement in the Right Direction (Infographic)
  State by state and federal approach to women's suffrage. Women's suffrage organizations. Tactics used to protect women's suffrage.
• A Simulated Election
  Students take part in a simulated election in which they role-play poll workers at a polling site and vote in a simulated election. Students become familiar with polling site procedures and the mechanics of voting in their state. When the election simulation coincides with a general election or a state election, it provides for a more authentic experience.
• A crash course on voting and the US political system
  Ted-Ed videos on 'Does Your Vote Count? The Electoral College explained', 'How do US Supreme Court justices get appointed', 'There's no such thing as not voting', 'Why do Americans vote on Tuesdays?", Gerrymandering: How drawing jagged lines can impact an election", "How is power divided in the United States government?", "How to understand power", and "What's needed to bring the US voting system into the 21st century"
• Abraham Lincoln and Habeas Corpus
  The "Great Writ" or habeas corpus has been an essential civil liberty guaranteed since Magna Carta. In listing powers denied to Congress, the Constitution notes that "The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it." In 1861, Abraham Lincoln invoked this power of Congressâ??which was not in sessionâ??to suspend habeas corpus in certain areas. The next year, as he believed the civil justice system was inadequate to deal with the rebellion, he expanded the suspension throughout the United States and established military tribunals to try citizens charged with disloyalty. In this lesson, students explore Lincolnâ"s suspension of habeas corpus and constitutional issues surrounding it.
• Becoming a Voter
  In this lesson, students apply their state?s requirements for registering to vote. Students learn when and how to register, how to complete a voter registration form, and when and how to reregister.
• Being an Informed Voter
  This lesson focuses on a voter?s need to be fully informed prior to casting a vote on Election Day and how to acquire the necessary information. Students learn what a yes or no vote or a decision to abstain means on a ballot. Students learn the definitions of amendment, initiative, proposition, and referendum. By completing the handouts for school referendums, students are given the opportunity to think critically and to learn firsthand why voters need to be fully informed about ballot questions.
• Constitution EXPLAINED: The Presidency Changes
  iCivics video about the impact of the 10, 22, and 25 amendments on the office of the President.
• Constitution EXPLAINED: Who Chooses the President?
  iCivics video about who chooses the President
• Debating the Electoral College
  Resource from KQED that includes links, video links, guidance and activity investigating the pros and cons of the electoral college
• Election Foundations
  PBS Learning video about how the US Constitutional Democracy created, empowers, and limits the office of the president. Information is provided about why presidential elections happen in the United States. Video available in both English and Spanish.
• Electoral College
  Great resource from KERA (PBS station) about the electoral college with information, links, and class activities
• Four mini-lessons on presidential debates
  Teacher and student materials, information, and guidance about exploration of presidential debates, debate formats, candidate strategies, civic issues, and teen perspectives.
• Free and Fair Elections
  This is a great explanation for teachers and students about the standards that governments need to meet before, during, and after an election to ensure that the election is "free and fair".
• Getting the Nomination
  PBS Learning video about a candidate getting the nomination through either primaries or caucuses. Information about delegates and super delegates and "Super Tuesday". Available in English and Spanish.
• Great Debates | We The Voters
  Many resources from PBS learning for teachers, students, and background information. Students will examine the techniques of persuasion and logical fallacies, investigate debates, learn of the history of presidential debates, and analyze the impact of word count.
• One Person, One Vote: Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims
  Video - Justices O'Connor and Breyer discuss the principle of one person, one vote. Specific focus on the Baker v. Carr case
• Political Parties
  A compilation of Primary Sources and Lesson suggestions from the Library of Congress about Political Parties. Contains text, video, and audio primary sources. Both historical and contemporary focus.
• Popular v. President
  iCivics Google Slides presentation about the election of the president. Shows difference between electoral vote and the popular vote. Pros and Cons of Electoral College. Perspective defense.
• Presidential Election Lesson 1: Slogans in Presidential Elections
  From Tippecanoe and Tyler Too to Yes, We Can, students will trace the development and use of slogans in presidential elections in the United States. The lesson allows students to compare slogans that are issue-related to those that are more generic. Students are then asked to analyze how these types of slogans are used and the effects they are meant to have on voters.
  Note: The resources needed for this lesson can be found at the bottom of this webpage: https://www.civiced.org/voting-lessons
• Presidential Election Lesson 2: Where Do the Candidates Stand?
  This lesson allows students to explore where the presidential candidates stand on issues that are important to them. It also allows them to scrutinize informational sources in order to obtain accurate and unbiased data.
  Note: The resources needed for this lesson can be found at the bottom of this webpage: https://www.civiced.org/voting-lessons
• Presidential Election Lesson 3: The Candidates Debate
  Debates can be exciting, energizing, information-packed events. Students often think of the types of debates they have done in class, perhaps a Lincoln-Douglas debate or a policy debate. This lesson takes students through the presidential debates used in campaigns. Using information gathered in Lesson 2 about the presidential candidates? stances on issues, students will view the debates and determine if the candidates have an identifiable and consistent position. Students will determine if the presidential debates are a useful tool in helping them choose a candidate.
  Note: The resources needed for this lesson can be found at the bottom of this webpage: https://www.civiced.org/voting-lessons
• Rank Your Choice (Infographic)
  Infographic and teachers guide about teaching about ranked choice voting. Comparison of pros and cons.
• Shelby County v. Holder | FRONTLINE
  Students will learn about the impacting 2013 Supreme Court case that fractured part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act by dismantling provision that gave the federal Congress the p[owner to protect voting rights. Students examine the immediate effects of the case.
• Should the Electoral College Stay or Go? | PBS NewsHour
  Examination, discussion questions, and perspective defense resources about if the Electoral College is fair or not fair.
• Slavery, Secession, and States’ Rights
  Information from the Library of Congress about the Election of 1860 and the issues of slavery, secession, and state' rights in that presidential election
• To Amend or Not to Amend, That's Been the Question…Many Times
  This lesson asks students to examine recent proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution, analyze them for public policy triggering mechanisms, and compare and contrast them to amendments that have been ratified.
• What Is A Good Rule? Creating Initiatives
  This lesson offers students the opportunity to play the role of voters with special interests. Students draw up initiatives for new classroom or school rules. Students listen to other students? interests, provide justifications for new rules, and prioritize initiatives for ballot consideration.
• What’s the Role of Primary Elections and Caucuses?
  Lesson, worksheet, links, and information about the roles that primary elections and caucuses play in presidential elections
• Why Midterm Elections Are Important | Things Explained
  PBS Learning video/Things explained video about why midterm elections are important. Explained in both Elementary and Middle Levels.
• Women's Suffrage: Their Rights and Nothing Less
  Lesson plan and primary sources from the Library of Congress about Women's Suffrage in the United States

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Robert  Austin and see the Social Studies website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.