Description

Constitution Unit – VA SOL USI.7

This Constitution Unit is a hands-on unit that combines history and language arts skills! Everything you need for teaching about the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, and early American government can be found here. Save time planning and your students will love completing the hands-on activities found in this unit.

For a closer look at the activities in this unit, see the product images at the top of the page!

What topics are covered in this Constitution Unit?

This Constitution Unit includes 11 detailed lesson plans. All lessons are hands-on and incorporate literacy skills. Students will investigate–

• the strengths, weaknesses, and outcomes of the government established by the Articles of Confederation
• the relationship between Shays’ Rebellion, the Northwest Ordinance, and the Articles of Confederation
• the Constitutional Convention and the development of the Constitution of the United States
• the role of James Madison in the development of the Constitution
• constitutional issues debated including the role of the national government and the debate over ratifying the Constitution
• the Three-Fifths Compromise and the Great Compromise
• the differences between Federalists and Anti-Federalists
• the influence of the Federalist Papers
• the three branches of government
• checks and balances assigned to each branch of government
• how John Marshall strengthened the Judicial Branch
• how power is divided between the federal government and the states
• the reasons why the Bill of Rights was added
• the main ideas of the Constitution’s articles and the Bill of Rights
• the influence and general principles taken from the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom and the Virginia Declaration of Rights when drafting the Bill of Rights
• the reasons why the Constitution is considered a “living document”
• the major accomplishments of the first five presidents
• presidential precedents set by George Washington
• the reasons why Washington, D.C. was selected as the nation’s capital and the contributions of Benjamin Banneker
• the formation of the first two-party system (Federalists and Democratic-Republicans)
• how the federal government recognizes the adoption of the Constitution and the importance of citizenship through Constitution Day (also known as Citizenship Day)

What types of resources are included in the unit?

A variety of no-prep activities are included in these unit plans.

• worksheets
• passages with comprehension questions
• hands-on activities
• centers
• foldables and booklets
• classroom debates
• sort
• posters
• games
• quiz
• test
• word wall cards
• timeline of suggested activities: Provides a timeline for using the activities included within this unit and provides links to websites featuring videos about concepts being taught.
• answer keys included throughout

Students will become fully immersed in learning about the U.S. Constitution as they create timelines and projects, complete hands-on activities, and research past events!

Are digital resources included?

All of the passages and comprehension questions, most worksheets, the quiz, and the test within this Constitution Unit are also included in an interactive Google Slides format and can be shared with students using your Google Drive.

Video tutorials are included to help you share interactive Google Slides with your students.

What standards are covered?

This U.S. Constitution Unit is specifically aligned with the 2023 Virginia U.S. History SOL USI.7, although it closely matches most U.S. History standards related to teaching about the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, and early American government.

What are other teachers saying about this unit?

• “I love your history passages! They are a great way for me to teach my kids through a reading passage! They have no idea they are learning history, and it’s awesome! Thank you!!!!” (anonymous)
• “Your units are awesome! I have all the units for VA Studies and US History II. So concise and easy to use. Thank you!” (Angela F.)
• “This was a great engaging resource. My students were all focused and engaged. Thanks!” (Amy R.)

Don’t Miss Out!

You don’t need to spend hours creating your U.S. Constitution Unit! These lessons require minimal prep work and are easy to implement whether teaching in-person or virtually. Students will also enjoy learning about the Constitution as they complete hands-on activities and read passages.

 

You may also be interested in:

• Early American Government Escape Room
• Constitution Task Cards
• U.S. History Unit Bundle
• U.S. History Escape Room Bundle
• U.S. History Task Cards Bundle

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Other Information:

©Meghan Vestal, Vestal’s 21st Century Classroom LLC. All rights reserved. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for teachers, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Teachers may NOT upload the product to school/district servers, or to any website, or share digital or print copies. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All sales are final.