This is lesson #7 in the text unit series for Shh! We're Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz. In this lesson, students will research five historical figures who led the United States to a representative government by comparing and contrasting primary and secondary sources. The students will write and reflect on what makes a good leader.

This unit will help students understand why and how the Constitution was created, including: the thirteen states and important historical figures present during the creation, the challenges and conflicts that state representatives faced during writing the Constitution, motifs and themes during the “Grand Convention,” and the relationship between state and national constitutions. Lessons will allow students to identify citizens’ civic duties outlined by the Constitution, the relationship between the federal and state Constitutions, and important historical symbols. Each part of the unit will include an in-depth dive into vocabulary and how it applies to the meaning of the text.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.