American Constitution
Content Area: Development of Constitution
Grade Level: 8
CA Content Standard:
8.2 Students analyze the political principles underlying the
U.S. Constitution and compare the enumerated and implied powers of the federal
government.
-1. Discuss the significance of the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the May-flower Compact
-2.Analyze the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution and the success of each in implementing the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.
-3. Evaluate the major debates that occurred during the development of the Constitution and their ultimate resolutions in such areas as
shared power among institutions, divided state-federal power, slavery, the rights of individuals and states (later addressed by the addition of the Bill of Rights), and the status of American Indian nations under the commerce clause.
-4. Describe the political philosophy underpinning the Constitution as specified in the Federalist Papers (authored by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay) and the role of such leaders as Madison, George Washington. Roger Sherman, Gouverneur Morris, and James Wilson in the writing and ratification of the Constitution.
-5. Understand the significance of Jefferson’s Statute of Religious Freedom as a forerunner of the First Amendment and the origins,
purpose, and differing views of the founding fathers on the issue of the separation of church and state.
-6. Enumerate the powers of the government set forth in the Constitution and the fundamental liberties ensured by the Bill of Rights.
-7. Describe the principles of federalism, dual sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, the nature and purpose of majority
rule, and the ways in which the American idea of constitutionalism preserves individual rights.
Essential Historical Question:
What impact has the creation and development of the Constitution had on our modern society?
Big Ideas:
Foundations of the United States & the Constitution
The Federalist Papers
Separation of Powers
Madison’s Impact
Unit Assessments:
Journals, Graphic Organizers (Venn Diagram), Essay, Presentation Guided Notes,
Grade Level: 8
CA Content Standard:
8.2 Students analyze the political principles underlying the
U.S. Constitution and compare the enumerated and implied powers of the federal
government.
-1. Discuss the significance of the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the May-flower Compact
-2.Analyze the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution and the success of each in implementing the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.
-3. Evaluate the major debates that occurred during the development of the Constitution and their ultimate resolutions in such areas as
shared power among institutions, divided state-federal power, slavery, the rights of individuals and states (later addressed by the addition of the Bill of Rights), and the status of American Indian nations under the commerce clause.
-4. Describe the political philosophy underpinning the Constitution as specified in the Federalist Papers (authored by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay) and the role of such leaders as Madison, George Washington. Roger Sherman, Gouverneur Morris, and James Wilson in the writing and ratification of the Constitution.
-5. Understand the significance of Jefferson’s Statute of Religious Freedom as a forerunner of the First Amendment and the origins,
purpose, and differing views of the founding fathers on the issue of the separation of church and state.
-6. Enumerate the powers of the government set forth in the Constitution and the fundamental liberties ensured by the Bill of Rights.
-7. Describe the principles of federalism, dual sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, the nature and purpose of majority
rule, and the ways in which the American idea of constitutionalism preserves individual rights.
Essential Historical Question:
What impact has the creation and development of the Constitution had on our modern society?
Big Ideas:
Foundations of the United States & the Constitution
The Federalist Papers
Separation of Powers
Madison’s Impact
Unit Assessments:
Journals, Graphic Organizers (Venn Diagram), Essay, Presentation Guided Notes,