Teacher: Scarlett White Lesson title: Post-Revolution: Founding American Documents Subject/Course/Unit: Foundations and Principles of Government Grade:

11 Time: 1 class period Student Performance Objective: Explain how common law and historic documents such as the Magna Cartainfluenced the framers of the Constitution and its development (1.1.1d) Explain the fundamental principles of American government contained in theArticles of Confederation and United States constitution (1.1.1g) Cue Set: Give a brief, oral overview of the reasons behind the Revolutionary War and infant Americas need to establish a new type of government after uprising against the oppression of Britains Parliament. Teaching Strategy: Bellringer What major reason did the colonists give for declaring independence? Make sure each student takes a textbook from the shelf for todays assignment. Notes Students will create an electronic table from todays Power Point contrasting the Articles of Confederation v. the Constitution. Guided Practice: Give four random students an index card. Each will have a situation on it (refer to the cards below). Have the four students read their cards aloud; have the class discuss what they think would happen in each situation if the country was governed by the Articles versus the Constitution. (Informal discussion) Independent Practice: In pairs or threes, students should complete the Founding Documents worksheet. They may use the textbook and their notes as reference. Review and Closure: If you could live in your ideal country, what type of government would you want to be governed by? Why? (There is no right or wrong answer) Resources: US Government textbook p. 48+, p. 63+ http://hti.osu.edu/history-lesson-plans/united-states-history/constitutioncompared-with-articles-confed

Bell Ringer: Please get a United States Government: Democracy in Action textbook from the shelf. You will need one to complete todays assignment. What major reason did the colonists give for declaring independence? 1.) Excessive taxes on everyday items 2.) Wanting to move farther west 3.) The need to protect their natural rights 4.) Lack of representation in Parliament

Closure: If you could live in your ideal country, what type of government would you want to be governed by? Why? (There is no right or wrong answer) Remember, there are four types of government: Unitary: Federal: Confederacy: Anarchy:

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS?

Abigail Muffinpan: I am a traveler from New York, who has reached South Carolina and wishes to stay the night at a nearby hotel. All I have is my New York currency. Do you think the innkeeper will accept it? William Pennyteller: I am a logger from Connecticut. I used to sell my timber to some merchants from Massachusetts, until their state placed a tariff on my goods. We are part of the same country. Is this fair? Thomas Bufflestock: I am a sailor in the Boston Harbor. I am upset because my ship is always having to fight off pirates from trying to steal our cargo along our coast. Shouldnt our government be able to provide a strong Navy to protect us? Clyde LaMoot: I am from the French government. I would like to discuss a policy and create a treaty with the United States of America, but whom do I speak with that can speak for all the states?

Name: __________________________________ Date: __________________ Period: __________

INFANT AMERICA: OUR FOUNDING DOCUMENTS After victory in the Revolutionary war, America was now independent from Britain. However, the states now needed some sort of plan moving forward. Complete the worksheet below to explore how the states thought they should proceed with their newfound independence. Helpful hint: Use pages 48+ and 63+ of your textbook. 1.) What is a republic?

2.) What were the Articles of Confederation and why were they created?

3.) What were the primary concerns with the Articles of Confederation once they were enacted?

4.) What is the U.S. Constitution? When, where, why, and how was it created?

5.) What are the benefits of having a central (federal) government?

6.) List three similarities between the Articles and the Constitution.

7.) List three differences between the Articles and the Constitution.

8.) Explain how one weakness in the Articles of Confederation was revised/addressed through the Constitution.