Unit Plan

Democracy: A Big Challenge

By  Tracey Roudez
  • Grades: 1–2

Overview

Introduce students to the drafting and signing of the Constitution as they develop interviewing and persuasive writing skills.

Objective

Students will:

  1. Work together in cooperative groups
  2. Understand the following keywords: Constitution, signers, reporter, newspaper, interview
  3. Understand the contributions these Founding Fathers: Washington, Franklin, Madison, Hamilton
  4. Understand the purpose for the United States Constitution
  5. Use research skills
  6. Write a persuasive letter to achieve a desired outcome

Lesson Plans for this Unit

Culminating Activity

Students will participate in a mock question-and-answer session where “newspaper reporters” will interview four “Founding Fathers.”

Supporting Books

Books for Teaching About the Constitution

  • Subjects:
    Discovery and Learning, Cooperation and Teamwork, Democracy, Content Area Reading, Reading Comprehension, Listening and Speaking, Vocabulary, Expository Writing, Persuasive Writing, Constitution and Bill of Rights, Historic Documents, Historic Figures
  • Skills:
    Fluency, Social Studies, Listening and Speaking, Listening Comprehension, Research Skills, Expository Writing
  • Duration:
    2 Weeks
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