The Constitution of the United States has served to keep our country strong and stable for over two hundred years. Throughout its history, it has been a great source of conflict, debate and compromise which has only helped to make it more durable. The Constitution is considered a Living Document because it has the flexibility to change over time as it is open to varied interpretations as times have changed.

 

Project Purpose: The purpose of this project is to sharpen research, analysis, technology, oral and written presentation skills and to become better informed about the creation and continuing importance of the US Constitution.

Tasks: Students will work in pairs to research and analyze one of the following topics:

• Articles of Confederation

• Constitutional Convention

• Conflict and Compromise

• Description of the Structure of Government

• Separation of Power

• Federalists and Anti-Federalists' Debate

• Bill of Rights

• Current relevance of the Constitution

Each pair will complete a Big Six Assignment Organizer to help them organize and focus on their topic prior to research. Students will use a variety of reference materials including text book, library and reference books, the links listed at the bottom of this home page and other internet sources.

Written and Visual Products:

Each pair will use graphic organizers to write a two to three page paper, including a bibliography page. In addition, each pair will use the computer to create 3 to 5 slides pertaining to their topic to be incorporated into a class slide presentation. Upon completion, each pair will share their findings with the class and perhaps to 5th grade classes.

Students will work in class, media center, computer lab and at home for a three week period.

Living Constitution Paper Requirements:

Big Six Research Paper Organizer must be completed and checked off by teacher.

Graphic organizers for each paragraph must be completed and turned in to teacher for feedback before rough draft is begun.

Rough Draft must be completed and peer edited.

Second rough draft turned in to teacher with revisions incorporating corrections and suggestions. Peer edit and original rough draft will be turned in also.

Final copy completed based on teacher feedback from second revision.

Living Constitution Slide Show Requirements:

At least 3 to 5 slides with text and images must be included.

Slides must be obviously associated with the research topic.

Students will explain their research findings to the class as they present their slide show.

 

Assessment:

A rubric will be used for the written and slide presentation portions of the project

Tools:

Students will use Big Six Assignment Organizers, graphic organizers designed by LINKS, Claris Works Slide Show, Web Page of Selected Sites, Internet, Claris works word processing, CD-ROM encyclopedias, reference books. 

Important Links:

Do you have any questions about the American Revolution or the US Constituion? Do you have an urge to know some unique trivia about our founding fathers? If so, click here http://www.xmission.com/~nccs/qstconst.html

Do you have questions about the Amendments? Do you want to know more about the three branches of government? Do you want to know more about your own rights? Check out this web site http://www.usconstitution.net/constfaq_sub.html

To learn more about the founding fathers, including primary source descriptions written by men of the time, click here http://www.usconstitution.net/constframe.html. This site also contains links to the events that led up to the making of the constitution including Daniel Shays' Rebellion and the problems with the Articles of Confederation.

A search directory developed by librarians specifically for students provides many web sites on the following topics: the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Founding Fathers, the stories of how the Constitution was made, and more. Click here http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/searchkids.pl?keywords=Constitution&searchtype=all. While your there, plug in your own search and the librarians will be sure to help.

http://americanhistory.about.com/msub1.htm?pid=2765&cob=home

http://www.nara.gov/exhall/charters/charters.html

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