Analyzing the Articles of Confederation: Why Was The Constitutional Convention Necessary?

AHTC Summer time Institute 2008 Lesson

Abstract : This lesson plan will concentrate on analyzing the Articles of Confederation to be able to better realise why the Constitutional Convention was necessary within the eyes from the founding fathers. By analyzing the document firsthand students can make historic inferences concerning the document and the timeframe that existed, in addition to provide specific explanations why the federal government that existed underneath the Articles of Confederation was problematic inducing the development of the Metabolic rate.

Assessment : Students will complete three separate activities concerning the Articles of Confederation document:

Primary Document Analysis Worksheet

o This gives students a much better foundation of understanding concerning the document to assist with historic thinking and analysis within the following activities.

Articles of Confederation Graphic Organizer

o Students uses this graphic organizer in summary each portion of the Articles of Confederation as well as choose the governmental weaknesses of every section which may have influenced the framers decision to convene in Philadelphia throughout the summer time of 1787.

o Students will require around the identities of numerous people (player, slave, lady, intellectual, etc.) throughout the pre-metabolic rate era and talk about whether or not they might have wanted the Articles of Confederation to stay in position, simply revised, or completely easily wiped out depending on how their identity could have been influenced by the laws and regulations outlined within the document.

Essential Questions/Long lasting Understandings:

During what period of time did the Articles of Confederation exist?

Do you know the primary defining characteristics from the Articles of Confederation?

Do you know the Articles of Confederations weaknesses and strengths?

How does one rate the general effectiveness from the Articles of Confederation?

How did the Articles of Confederation change up the various categories of society differently during the time of its existence?

What major characteristics from the Articles of Confederation led to its demise and inspired the framers to produce the Metabolic rate?

Setting the reason : Because the governing document of the usa that preceded the Metabolic rate it is necessary that students appreciate this document and it is shortcomings. The easiest method to do that is as simple as analyzing the particular document instead of find out about others interpretations from it inside a textbook. Students is going to be challenged to make use of and refine their skills of historic thinking and analysis to be able to better realise why the Constitutional Convention, the momentous event that altered the path of this nation, was essential.

Articles of Confederation. 1777

Lesson Procedure : 72 Hours

Distribute copies from the Articles of Confederation along with the Primary Document Analysis Worksheet

o The Articles of Confederation document are available in the following site. ourdocuments.gov/index.php?flash=true

For that first activity I’d print a duplicate of the particular document.

After materials happen to be distributed give students around twenty minutes to look at the document and finish the Primary Document Analysis Worksheet.

o Personally, i allow students to accomplish the game in partners but that’s a judgment call to get making in your classroom.

When students are through with the very first activity reconvene like a class and review a job together.

o Permit each partner group to talk about their findings to be able to gather a number of discussion points and interpretations from the document.

In the finish of sophistication, review the way you might have completed the Primary Document Analysis Worksheet to be able to make certain students possess the correct background understanding concerning the document.

o This may be easily made by making an overhead copy from the Primary Document Analysis Worksheet.

Break students into categories of four and distribute to every student the Articles of Confederation Graphic Organizer in addition to copies from the Articles of Confederation .

o The Articles of Confederation document are available in the following site. ourdocuments.gov/index.php?flash=true

With this activity I’d print a duplicate from the transcript document as it is much simpler to see and students will have to be in a position to read every word.

Student groups will have to complete the Articles of Confederation Graphic Organizer.

o Each student must complete the game one assignment per group isn’t acceptable.

Around the Articles of Confederation Graphic Organizer student groups is going to be summarizing each portion of the Articles of Confederation and considering possible conflicts that may and did arise from each section.

As student groups will work around the assignment you ought to be circulating round the room assisting and reminding students to see this document with different historic perspective NOT in line with the society they reside in.

In the finish of sophistication allow each group to talk about one possible problem that may have come to light from the Articles of Confederation.

Discuss any a few of the following issues regarding each groups response.

o Why could this potentially be considered a problem?

o Would this potential issue compound into other issues?

o What categories of society would this problem potentially impact?

o Will the problem identified possess a simple solution or require a complete overhaul?

Following the class discussion have students pick a name from the list below.

o States legal rights supporter

o Big government supporter

o Southern player

o Northern upper class intellectual

After students have selected a name ask them to write a 1 page reaction to the next question for homework.

According to your identity summarize the way the Articles of Confederation might have affected your family and explain regardless of whether you might have supported maintaining your Articles of Confederation, simple revision towards the articles, or eliminating the articles completely?

Make sure to support your situation using actual evidence in the Articles of Confederation and also to respond using the point of view of somebody living in that period of time with no worldview of current society.