Students learn about important figures who shaped the U.S. Constitution and the nation's first government. First, they explore three paintings of the Constitutional Convention. Then, they learn about the delegates as a whole, and identify similarities among all or most of them. Next, they will research and answer questions about individual delegates, including how they shaped the Constitution. Finally, they'll read the notes from their classmates and write a conversation, letter, or journal entry that compares and contrasts their delegate with another.
Objectives:
- Evaluate the contributions of the Framers of the Constitution.
- Research and prepare a writing project comparing two delegates at the Convention.
Scene 1 — Engage
Student Activity
Students read an introduction explaining who the Founding Fathers and Framers of the Constitution were and what they will do in the experience. They examine the painting Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States by Howard Chandler Christy and complete a see–think–wonder chart, recording what they observe, infer, and question about the scene.
Teacher Moves
Review the lesson objectives and the see–think–wonder chart with the class. Ask students to notice patterns in their collective responses and, as needed, prompt them to deepen their analysis of the painting. Use the provided list of well-known Framers and notable non-participants to clarify who was and was not at the Constitutional Convention.
Scene 2 — Explore
Student Activity
Students explore three artistic depictions of the Constitutional Convention, including Scene at the Signing of the Constitution, National Archives Mural: The Constitution by Barry Faulkner, and Signing of the Constitution by Louis S. Glanzman. They then post to a class wall comparing and contrasting how the delegates are portrayed in the images, focusing on setting, actions, and overall mood.
Teacher Moves
Highlight key similarities and differences among the paintings, noting that two show the delegates in Independence Hall while one places them in a classical outdoor setting, and that all convey a serious, significant mood. Use these observations to reinforce how art can shape perceptions of historical events.
Scene 3 — Explain
Student Activity
Students read an explanatory text about the Constitutional Convention and the backgrounds of its 55 delegates, including their education, professions, government experience, and Revolutionary War service. Using this information, they complete a concept map graphic organizer listing four characteristics that all or most delegates shared.
Teacher Moves
Review the completed concept maps, using the suggested answers to address misconceptions. Prompt students to consider how the delegates’ shared identities and experiences may have influenced their decisions, whose perspectives were missing from the convention, and how that might have affected the outcome in relation to the founding ideals in the Declaration of Independence.
Scene 4 — Elaborate
Student Activity
Students are introduced to a list of key Framers and, after being assigned or selecting one delegate, use The Framers of the Constitution and Meet the Framers of the Constitution to research that individual. They complete a graphic organizer recording the delegate’s state, prior experience, contribution to shaping or ratifying the Constitution, later career, and an interesting fact. Next, they review classmates’ charts to learn about other delegates and then write either a conversation, a letter, or a journal entry from their delegate’s perspective that references at least one other delegate and highlights at least one similarity and one difference between them. They post their writing to a class wall.
Teacher Moves
Emphasize that this scene is essential because it prepares students for a quiz question. Consider assigning specific delegates to ensure a range of individuals is covered. After students complete their writing, provide time for them to read and respond to one another’s work, either through whole-class sharing on the wall or in assigned partners or small groups.
Scene 5 — Evaluate
Student Activity
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher Moves
Facilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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