Unit Title: The US Constitution and Government Name: Carlos Barajas
Content Area: US History Grade Level: 8th CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s): 8.2 Students analyze the political principles underlying the U.S. Constitution and compare the enumerated and implied powers of the federal government. -1. Discuss the significance of the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the May-flower Compact
-2.Analyze the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution and the success of each in implementing the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.
-3. Evaluate the major debates that occurred during the development of the Constitution and their ultimate resolutions in such areas as shared power among institutions, divided state-federal power, slavery, the rights of individuals and states (later addressed by the addition of the Bill of Rights), and the status of American Indian nations under the commerce clause.
-5. Understand the significance of Jeffersons Statute of Religious Freedom as a forerunner of the First Amendment and the origins, purpose, and differing views of the founding fathers on the issue of the separation of church and state.
-6. Enumerate the powers of the government set forth in the Constitution and the fundamental liberties ensured by the Bill of Rights.
-7. Describe the principles of federalism, dual sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, the nature and purpose of majority rule, and the ways in which the American idea of constitutionalism preserves individual rights. Big Ideas: -The foundations of the United States & the Constitution -Federalism -Separation of Powers -Three Branches of Government
Essential Historical Question: What impact has the creation and development of the Constitution had on our modern society?
Unit Goals and Objectives: -Students will understand the roots of the US Constitution by analyzing the establishment of the Mayflower Compact by completing guided notes as well as creating digital flashcards on Quizlet
-Students will partake in a WebQuest in which they will use several sources on the internet to demonstrate their knowledge and comprehension of the three branches of government in the United States.
-Students will learn about the idea of Federalism in the United States by creating a Venn Diagram graphic organizer in which they document the similarities and differences between the Federal Government's powers and State Government's powers.
Unit Summary: It is important to learn about the creation and development of the United States because, as Peter N. Stearns put it, "history helps us understand how the society we live in came to be." The creation of this modern state is no small feat, one in which though not without faults, has been progressive on the side of democratic values and tolerance. Having an understanding of the country in which the students reside will help them not just understand the past but also help them better put their lives in perspective. Learning and analyzing the basis for the Constitution will also help students understand the great undertaking it was to have created the document and its importance and roll in a democratic society. Having laid this foundation, the students will be better prepared to be active participants of society.
Summative: -Government Story -Constitution Digital Poster Lesson 1 Student Learning Objective:
Students will understand the roots of the US Constitution by analyzing the establishment of the Mayflower Compact by completing guided notes as well as creating digital flashcards on Quizlet. Acceptable Evidence:
Completion of Guided Notes
Completion of Quizlet Flash Cards Instructional Strategies: x Communication Collection Collaboration x Presentation Organization Interaction Lesson Activities:
Students will review a digital presentation on the establishment of the first document (the Mayflower Compact) in what is now the United States. As the students view the presentation they will complete guided notes. Once the guided notes have been assessed by the teacher the students will create Quizlet flashcards. Lesson 2 Student Learning Objective:
Students will partake in a WebQuest in which they will use several sources on the internet to demonstrate their knowledge and comprehension of the three branches of government in the United States.
Acceptable Evidence:
Completion of Webquest Questions relating to the Judiciary branch, Executive branch, Judicial branch Instructional Strategies: Communication x Collection Collaboration Presentation Organization x Interaction Lesson Activities:
Students will be presented with a set of questions regarding the Executive branch, Legislative branch, and Judicial branch. The students will then interact with different websites (teacher approved) that present them with information in different formats (ex. video). The students will then answer the questions after going on their WebQuest. Lesson 3 Student Learning Objective:
Students will learn about the idea of Federalism in the United States by creating a Venn Diagram graphic organizer in which they document the similarities and differences between the Federal Government's powers and State Government's powers.
Acceptable Evidence:
Completion of Venn Diagram in which they organize the powers of the National government, State governments and shared powers. Instructional Strategies: Communication Collection Collaboration Presentation x Organization x Interaction Lesson Activities:
Students will first read about Federalism and the idea of a National government working in conjunction with State governments. Students will then be presented with a list of powers that they will organize into a Venn diagram graphic organizer. Unit Resources:
Below is the list of resources used for this unit.
Government 101: Congress Keith Hughes- Article III for Dummies: The Judiciary Explained Executive Branch Slide Show by Allen Furlong Mr. Barajas Mayflower Compact Presentation Federalism The Founders and Federalism National Government vs. State Government
Useful Websites:
Below are a list of additional resources that assist in further learning about the United State Constitution and government.
Social Studies for Kids Learning to Give Info Please Encyclopedia Britannica Encyclopedia-Mayflower Compact Federalists and Anti-Federalists Anti-Federalists The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments EDSITEment Federalism- UShistory.org Federalism|US Constitution|PBS Federalism Educational Videos The Federalist Papers - THOMAS (Library of Congress)-#47 Our Documents - Federalist Papers, No. 10 & No. 51 (1787-1788) Transcript of the Constitution of the United States - Official Text Three Branches of Government (for kids) :: GenerationNation Bill of Rights Bill of Rights for Kids Do I Have A Right?: Bill of Rights