Individual Lesson View
The Constitutional Convention of 1787,
Lesson 2
From: EDSITEment!
Grade Level: HS, (College)
Remote Ready: With Modifications
Time: Depends on which activity you choose, up to 5 short class periods
Length of Reading: Pages
Lesson 2:
The Question of Representation at the 1787 Convention
Click on "Lesson Activities"
The Constitutional Convention is the focus of this lesson. All 3 activities within this lesson use primary sources. The second activity involves a short role-playing activity. And the third involves creating a timeline. If you're looking for lesson 1, it's up under the Articles of Confederation heading; lesson 3 is in the next box.
Though long, this lesson is definitely worthwhile. So let's see if we can help break it down so you can pick the parts you like:
Activity 1: All students read snippets from: the Articles of Confederation, the New Jersey Plan, The Virginia Plan, the Hamilton Plan and the Constitution (1 paragraph each, 2 pages total). They then answer questions in a graphic organizer.
For homework, each of 3 groups then gets additional primary source snippets of transcripts from the Constitutional Convention debate (1-2 pages each). Students answer questions on their respective documents. The following day, groups meet to compare answers and then jigsaw out to explain their documents to their classmates.Activity 2: Students are divided into 3 groups. Each group gets gets a primary source set with more snippets of transcripts from the Constitutional Convention debate (2 pages each). Each group fills in a graphic organizer with the reasons particular delegates supported or opposed a particular element of the proposed Constitution (a bicameral legislature, who votes in elections, and proportional representation). Teachers can elect to jigsaw or have each group present to the class.
Next, in a role-playing activity, each student is given a biography card of a particular Convention delegate (a paragraph each). 2-3 students will likely have the same bio; these students meet to discuss. Then students debate, taking on the persona of their delegate. The student-delegates debate a bicameral legislature, who votes in elections, and proportional representation.Activity 3: each group of 2-3 students is assigned a primary source (paragraphs) on an event "during the Constitutional Convention that led to the Connecticut Compromise." Groups each make a 5x7" card with essential info on their event and present on that material to the class. Then the teacher creates a timeline with the cards.
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Grade Level: HS, (College)
- This lesson is intended for high school students.
- However, we think it would be excellent for College Students as well.
Remote Ready: With Modifications
- Links to the reading assignments can easily be emailed or posted for students.
- It’s much easier for small groups or pairs to coordinate a phone call or video conference meeting than for the entire class to sync their schedules. Have these small groups post answers, a synopsis, or a video of their discussion to your LMS.
- The role-playing debate from Activity 2 might not be possible remotely. Let us know if you found a way to make it work.
- Making a timeline in Activity 3 might be achieved using an online timeline maker, like Read, Write, Think. This one is not secure so students should avoid adding personal info.
Primary Source Icon
This means that this activity utilizes primary sources
Group Work Icon
This activity calls for working in pairs, a group, and/or having a class discussion
Role Play Icon
This activity involves asking students to portray historical figures
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