Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Understanding the United States Constitution

Name: Marc Donez

Content Area: Social Science

Grade Level: 12th Grade

CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):

12.5 Students summarize landmark U.S. Supreme Court interpretations of the Constitution and its amendments.
1. Understand the changing interpretations of the Bill of Rights of time, including interpretations of the basic freedoms
(religions, speech, press, petition, and assembly) articulated in the First Amendment and the due process and equalprotection-of-the-law clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment.
2. Analyze judicial activism and judicial restraint and the effects of each policy over the decades (e.e., the Warren and
Rehnquist courts).
3. Evaluate the effects of the Courts interpretations of the Constitution in Marbury v. Madison, McCulloch v. Maryland, and
United States v. Nixon, with emphasis on the arguments espoused by each side in these cases.
4. Explain the controversies that have resulted over changing interpretations of civil rights, including those in Plessy v.
Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, Miranda v. Arizona, Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, Adarand
Constructors, Inc. v Pena, and United States v. Virginia (VMI).

Big Ideas:

What is the Constitution? Why is it important?

Who were the major players in writing the Constitution?
What makes up the Constitution?
What laws are within the Bill of Rights?
Are there any amendments within the Constitution that are not relevant today?
Why is it important to have Checks & Balances?

Unit Goals and Objectives:

Students will have a better understanding for the United States Constitution and the writings within it.
Describe the different amendments and how they have shaped American history.
Illustrate the powers and functions of government in the United States.
Students will be able to dissect Supreme Court decisions and understand their relevance to interpreting present day laws.
Rights and restrictions written within the document will be assessed and, ultimately, understood.

Unit Summary:

Students will study, comprehend, and research different elements of the United States Constitution in order to better
understand its importance. Though put into writing and recognized by all citizens in our country, many do not understand
the roots of the most important document in United States history. This assignment will cover key events, people, and
wording within the document, as well as encourage critical thinking. Essentially, students will be able to know the Who,
What, Where, When, How? of the Constitution. Ultimately, it is my goal that you review the information and formulate
your own thoughts and opinions.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:

Formative:

Summative:

Brainstorm: What do you know about the

Constitution of the United States of
America? Can you think of any Supreme
Court cases that have played a major role
in shaping American society?

Amendment Knowledge Quick Write:

Students will have 5-10 minutes to write
down all of the Amendments they know.
Information should include Amendment
number, associated laws, etc.

Written Assessment: Discuss your

outlooks and views concerning the United
States Supreme Court, the Constitution,
and how it ties in with daily American
life.

Timeline: Create a timeline based on

historic events that led to the creation of
the Constitution, as well as important
court cases that have shaped it to the
present day.

Exam: Students will be tested on the

material, ultimately regurgitating
information gained throughout the unit.

Flash Cards: Important definitions, dates,

etc. regarding the Constitution.
Lecture: A collaborative lecture involving
myself and the students discussing the
pros and cons of law making in our land.
Lesson 1
Student Learning
Objective:
Students will study
some of the more

Acceptable Evidence:
Participation in
discussion, as well as
completion of the

Instructional
Strategies:
X Communication
X Collection
Collaboration

Lesson Activities:
A Prezi for students to follow along with while they complete
their guided reading. During the Prezi, there will be
interaction amongst the students as the discuss key points of

famous Supreme
Court cases that
helped shape the
United States
Constitution.

guided notes.

X Presentation
X Organization
X Interaction

the cases they have just learned about. They will also
integrate short videos on said cases while keeping track on
their guided reading worksheets.

Acceptable Evidence:

Instructional
Strategies:
X Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
X Organization
X Interaction

Lesson Activities:

Instructional
Strategies:
X Communication
X Collection
X Collaboration
Presentation
X Organization
Interaction

Lesson Activities:

Lesson 2
Student Learning
Objective:
Now that students
have learned what
mostly makes up the
Constitution, they will
not sharpen their
expertise and
understanding on the
document.
Lesson 3
Student Learning
Objective:
To have a better
understanding of the
United States
Constitution and the
writings within it; to
grasp the history
behind the beginnings
of the document.

Completion of the
worksheet after
searching through the
links provided.

Acceptable Evidence:
Students will
complete a Graphic
Organizer after
watching/reading
information from
History.com.

Students will complete a Webercise to further their

Constitution education. This includes following the provided
links on the worksheet and answering questions correctly
from start to finish. Links provided included readings, as
well as short videos. At the conclusion of the assignment,
students will write a short summary of what they have
learned.

A KWL chart will be assigned to analyze what information

students have learned or need to learn. They will complete
three separate sections: What I Know, What I Want To
Know, and What I Learned. Their reading will be done on
the History.com link associated with the beginnings of the
Constitution, where they will learn about the individuals who
wrote and constructed the document.

Unit Resources:

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html - Transcript of the Constitution

https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/constitution - White House Constitution Page
http://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-constitution-amendments/fascinating-facts/ - Constitution Fun Facts
http://www.history.com/topics/constitution - History Channel Constitution Page

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4reFwa_ixXk - Constitution Style Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAVpj_Vo7zk - Muppets Reenactment of Continental Congress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIfBkbDPS38 - Ten Uncommon Facts About The Constitution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCJ2of4kx5E - Constitution Rap
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Reference-Shelf/Laws.shtml - United States Laws & Regulations
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html - California Legal Code

Useful Websites:

http://prezi.com - Presentation Software

https://quizlet.com - Flash Card Making
https://www.whitehouse.gov - The White House Website
http://constitution.findlaw.com - Law Finder