UNIT IN WHICH THE LESSON WILL/COULD BE INCLUDED

The Constitutional Convention

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Mississippi Curriculum Framework Competency - Eighth Grade

U.S. Government - Competency 1a

U.S. History - Competency 1c and 5a

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Essential Questions

What is the difference between a Founding Father and a Framer?

Did the formation of a federal government change the social and political situations of the Framers?

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Historical Content of Lesson

People: All 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention (and the addtional 15 delegates who were selected but did not attend)
Events: Philadelphia or Constitutional Convention
Key terms, dates: Constitution, Founding Father, Framer, May 25, 1787, September 17, 1787

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Historical Concepts/Themes for this Lesson

Values, beliefs, political ideas, and institutions; conflict and cooperation; comparative history of major developments in the past; patterns of social and political interaction

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Historical Skills/Process

Developing empathy for people in the past;

Understanding chronology;

Explaining cause and effect;

Appreciating the importance of the irrational and accidental in history and human affairs

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Teacher Resources: Websites

Founding Fathers

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"Who attended the Constitutional Convention?"

Ask the class and write the names on the board.

-The class may get 5 names correct without looking in the text. -Next, I would make a "big deal" about how these were the men who put this great document together, although the class has probably never even heard of 90 percent of them.

"What is the difference between a Founder and a Framer?"

-Ask the class this question.

-Emphasize: "A Framer is always a Founder, but a Founder is not always a Framer."

"Who are these forgotten Framers?"

-Assign or allow the students to select a Framer to research.

-The focus of the research should be:

Who was their Framer prior to/during the Revolution?

What was their Framer’s role at the convention?

What did their Framer do with his life after the Convention?

-Each student should make some sort of hand puppet on the selected Framer. (i.e. a paper bag or Popsicle stick with construction paper) -Each student should use their puppet to introduce their Framer to the class. -I would allow about 15 minutes in class for 3 days to allow the students to prepare their puppet and complete the research.

After the Framers have been introduced by the students, ask

"Did the Framers’ efforts in the formation of a new government change their social and political situations?"

-Discuss and examine this issue as a class for about 15 minutes.