Shhh! We're Writing the Constitution: Themes of the Grand Convention (Constitutional Convention)

This is lesson # 9 in the text unit for Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz. The lesson focuses on planning an expository essay after reading and annotating the second text The Bill of Rights: A Transcription. The lesson utilizes an essay planning template to help students organize the details from each text to support a common theme/central idea shared between the two texts. As an extension, students can draft the essay or turn the planning notes into a presentation using digital programs. This lesson 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.

The lessons in this text-based unit 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.
Resource ID#: 208987 Type: Lesson Plan
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General Information

Subject(s): English Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 5
Intended Audience: Educators educators
Suggested Technology: Document Camera, Computer for Presenter, Computers for Students, Internet Connection, Interactive Whiteboard, Assistive Technology, Microsoft Office
Instructional Time: 60 Minute(s)
Resource supports reading in content area:Yes
Keywords: U.S. Constitution, Grand Convention, Constitution, Jean Fritz, Fritz, Shh! We're Writing the Constitution, ELA, civics, Constitutional Convention, Theme, expository writing
Instructional Component Type(s): Lesson Plan,  Resource Collection
Instructional Design Framework(s): Writing to Learn
Resource Collection: Integrated Civics with ELA Lesson Plans- Grades K-5

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