Shaping of the Constitution

US History The U.S. Constitution Shaping of the Constitution
Students explore people, ideas, and documents that shaped the U.S. Constitution, including: the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, Charles de Montesquieu, and John Locke. Then they look at influences from colonial America.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Overview

In this experience, students explore people, ideas, and documents that shaped the U.S. Constitution, including: the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, Charles de Montesquieu, and John Locke. Then they look at influences from colonial America.

Objectives:

  • Summarize the traditions of freedom that Americans inherited from England and from their own colonial past.
  • Describe how the Enlightenment ideas shaped the development of the Constitution.


Many factors went into shaping the U.S. Constitution. In this experience, you will explore some of these factors, including people, ideas, and documents that influenced the Constitution.

Objectives:

  • Summarize the traditions of freedom that Americans inherited from England and from their own colonial past.
  • Describe how the Enlightenment ideas shaped the development of the Constitution.


Document titled "The Spirit of Laws"

The United States is founded on democratic values and principles.


Write some examples of democratic values and principles.

Post your answer

Some examples include: liberty, freedom, equality, justice, popular sovereignty (majority rules).

You could ask students to identify values that have been important throughout our nation’s history.


Next, think about how those values and principles are reflected in a democratic government. Write a short description of ways that the United States government reflects democratic values. (You may want to consider what you’ve learned about the Constitution.)

Post your answer

Examples include:

  • Free and fair elections
  • Citizens elect their own leaders
  • Elections are held frequently so leaders can be replaced
  • People have individual rights
  • Separation of powers and checks and balances
  • Separation of state and national governments


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

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The Complete List of Learning Experiences in Constitution Unit.
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