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Title of Lesson:       The Constitution is Alive

Instructor:                Brenda Kay Hardman, American History Honors, 11^th grade

Objectives:               To expose students to the US Constitution and it’s Amendments in a manner allowing students to discern the American democratic process both historically and in current times.

Correlating Sunshine State Standards:

            Standard 5, the student understands U.S. history from 1880 to the present day. (SS.A.5.4)6 - 8

                        6. Understands the political events that shaped the development of United States foreign policy since World War II and knows the characteristics of that policy.

                        7. Understands the development of federal civil rights and voting rights since the 1950s and the social and political implications of these events.

                        8. Knows significant political events and issues that have shaped domestic policy decisions in contemporary America.

Materials Needed:

            Pre test (35)

            Pre test rubric (35)

            PowerPoint Disk/12 slides, Projector, Laptop,Cables (for                      assignment explanation)

            PowerPoint Templates (student groups) 1-10, each with a different Civic Problem

            PowerPoint Disk (student), Projector, Laptop, Cables (for student presentations)

            Poster paper & markers (10)

            Mini United States Constitutions (35)

            Student Presentation Grading Rubric (10)

            Post test (35)

            Post test rubric (35)

Instructions For Implementing Lesson

 (Select groups, each given a democratic issue to solve, must solve within the context of the Constitution, Amendments and laws)

            Day 1 – Goals = Set up, hand-outs, groups assigned (generate excitement for project)

                        1. Students are given an 8 question Pre-test to complete individually at their seat.

                        2. Students are placed in heterogeneous groups of 4 (8 per class)

3. Teacher presents PowerPoint explaining “Constitution is Alive” project (modeling of student presentation)

            Slides:

a.      Assignment objective

b.      Groups assigned, Progressive or Establishment,  roles

c.      Civic Problem, year, relevant issues

d.      Bill proposal on bill format form, loopholes?

e.      Dear Editor (negative response to bill)

f.        Dear Editor (positive response to bill)

g.      Judge – determines if the proposed law is constitutional, why or why not?

h.      Analyze how this law would be accepted in present-day society.

i.        Campaign Poster Example – designed by group

j.         Project Grade Rubric

2.      Explain Rubric (5 minutes)

a.      Students will turn in printed PowerPoint &  poster on Day 3

b.      Group Presentation, group member responsibilities during presentation

3.      Assignment materials are given out (PowerPoint template-student groups)

a.      Group member roles

1.      President-final decision (Veto or Pass)

2.      Law maker – pushes issue to get re-elected

3.      Judge – sites constitution for or against bill

4.      Secretary – makes reports

b.      Civic Problem worksheet

c.      Poster paper

d.      Copy of Constitution

4.      Groups work for the remainder of the period (45 minutes)

            Day 2 – Review assignment= work with groups (place absent students), final discussions

1.      Students in groups as they enter class

2.      PowerPoint Review of format, review group member roles

3.      Remind students they must reveal how this bill would work in present society

4.      Introduce “Civic Crisis” to class 

5.      Ask class to use the “Civic Crisis” to adapt their bill to the current state of affairs.

6.      Ask class for examples of how a bill would be adapted.

7.      Groups work as teacher circulates (structured & independent practice)