Dover-Sherborn Middle School

Curriculum Road Maps

 

Course Title:                 U.S. History                                                     Grade:              8         


Unit:                 The Constitution and the Bill of Rights                                  

Month Presented:         October-November               Unit Length (in weeks):    6-7      

 

 

Essential Question (s):

  • Why do we need the Constitution?  How does it work?
  • Do I have rights?  Do I have responsibilities?

 

Learning Objectives:

1.  Understand the structure and weaknesses of America’s first government: the Articles of Confederation.    USI.6

2.  Research and identify the economic, political and social influences of the framers of the Constitution.  USI.7

3.  Compare and contrast the interests and “pet issues” of the 13 states.  Explain how this led to controversy at the Constitutional Convention.  USI.7, USI.8

4.   Understand the structure and function of the Constitution focusing on checks and balances, separation of powers, federalism and the Bill of Rights.  USI.9

5.   Explore a selection of Bill of Rights amendments, including rights of the accused and expression . . . how they relate to young Americans.   

6.   Establish and apply criteria to evaluate appropriate internet sites for historical research. 

 

Skills:

  • Primary Source Analysis: Interpreting Government Documents and statistics 

(Reading and Literature Standards 8 and 13)

  • Research biographical information on delegates to the Constitutional Convention (Writing and Research Standards 19 and 24)
  • Apply criteria to evaluate internet websites for accuracy and practicality. 
  • Organization of notebook materials
  • Define and use government terms, including democracy, oligarchy, legislature 
  • Website evaluation

 

Instructional Strategies and  Activities:

  • Articles of Confederation Case Studies
  • Founding Father “Baseball Card”: who were the delegates to the Constitutional Convention?
  • Convention Compromises: Census Data 1790 Research:        population statistics for representation and slavery debates.
  • Borrowing Ideas:  Examining influences to the Constitution
  • Constitution Scavenger Hunts:  Articles I, II, and III
  • Tracking Legislation, understanding the legislative process

·        Students’ rights case studies and information session with school administrators

Assessment Strategies:     

·        Content Quizzes on the different branches of government

  •  Articles of Confederation “Progress Report”
  • Convention Delegate Baseball Card- website analysis and research
  • Open Notebook Constitution Unit Test
  • Memorize the Preamble
  • Mock Senate Confirmation Hearing  

 

Materials Used:    Textbook, internet websites, political cartoons.