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General Information
This unit focuses on primary source documents as a way to understand the United States Constitution as a “living document”. The majority of the attention will be spent analyzing the Amendments to the United States Constitution and how they make this document a “living document”. Students will learn about the Amendments through a simulation as well as various research activities. (SS 8.1.30, 8.2.1, 8.2.13, 8.2.3) Students will also supplement their learning by creating a PowerPoint presentation based directly on their research. These activities will foster deeper learning and research skill development. Students will also learn how to analyze a primary source document and apply their knowledge directly to their lives. At the conclusion of this unit, students will be able to create thoughtful questions about primary source documents and how they relate to the United States Constitution. This unit is designed to promote student inquiry related to primary source documents.
| Grade Level |
Grade 8 |
Topic |
The Amendments to the United States Constitution |
| Creator |
Chad Carr |
Geographic Area |
United States of America |
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Time Period |
1787 to present |
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Duration |
10 Instructional Days |
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Academic Standards |
SS 8.1.30; SS 8.2.1; SS 8.2.13; SS 8.2.3 |
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Standards Tapestry
The United States Constitution serves as the backbone of freedom for individuals in the United States. The Amendments to the Constitution allow it to be a flexible, ever-changing document. Students will be exposed to the Amendments of the Constitution and conduct individual research on a chosen Amendment. The focus of this project is centered on the Amendments to the Constitution, which ultimately allow students to prove that the Constitution is a living document.
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Assessment Rationale
I plan on using a variety of assessments to gauge student learning. I will be assessing using a Frayer Diagram, paragraph writing, jigsaw worksheet, Research Question Worksheet, exit cards, and a PowerPoint presentation.
Standards
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Differentiated Activities
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Worksheet
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Lab Sheet
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Treasure Hunt
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Poems/Songs
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SS 8.1.30
SS 8.2.1
SS 8.2.13
SS 8.2.3
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Humanities-rich Resources
The links below can be used as valuable tools to conduct research. They will allow you to expand your lesson plans and give insightful ways to utilize primary source documents.
Type (book link, etc.)
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Name
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URL (if any)
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Annotation (can include description and notes on how to use.
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Link
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Our Documents Website
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http://www.ourdocuments.gov/ |
A variety of primary documents can be found on this site to enrich lesson plans |
Link
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Resource Connection
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http://resource.smartdesktop.org/
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Allows you to view and find humanities-rich items, such as lesson plans, images, and primary source documents |
Link
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Lesson Plans
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http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/ |
Allows you to perform free-text searches in a selected category |
Link
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Amendment Resource
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http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/ |
Allows a student to perform research on a chosen Amendment |
Link
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Response to Write Representatives
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http://www.house.gov/writerep/ |
Allows a student to write a representative from the House of Representatives |
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Book
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Class Textbook
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Call To Freedom
Holt,Rinehart, Winston
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Students can use their class text as a resource tool |
Link
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Court Case Resources
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http://www.armfor.uscourts.gov/digest/
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This is a sample website that will allow students to view court cases dealing with the Fourth Amendment |
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| Instructional Day |
Description |
Day 1
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Search and Seizure Activity (see file attachment or alternative_lesson_plan attachment) |
Day 2
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Jigsaw Activity #1 (see Jigsaw Questionairre, Jigsaw Instructions, and Jigsaw Activity Plans #1 attachments) |
Day 3
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Jigsaw Activity #2 (see Jigsaw Questionairre, Jigsaw Instructions, and Jigsaw Activity Plans#2, Paragraph_Writing_Assessment attachments) |
Day 4
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Inquiry Activity (see Inquiry_Questions_Doc, 104-Who_Does_Research, Inquiry_Rubric, and Inquiry_Lesson_Plan attachments) |
| Day 5 |
Computer Lab/Library Research (see computer_lab attachment) |
Day 6
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Computer Lab/Library Research (see computer_lab attachment) |
| Day 7 |
Finish Research/PowerPoint Demonstration (see PowerPoint_Demonstration and PowerPoint_Demonstration_Instructions_Attachments) |
Day 8
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PowerPoint Creation (see PowerPoint_Rubric attachment) |
Day 9
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PowerPoint Creation (see PowerPoint_Rubric attachment) |
Day 10
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PowerPoint Demonstrations (see Constitutional Amendments PowerPoint Presentation Rubric) |
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