Lesson Plan: November 9-13
Unit Questions:
• What were the important issues of the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 including compromises and
arguments for and against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution?
• Why is 1787 significant?
• What documents and traditions influenced the writing of the U.S. Constitution?
• What were the key Constitutional issues in debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
• What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers (1787)?
LEARNING EXPERIENCE: The Constitutional Convention of 1787 (1 day)
Analyze the events of the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Students will learn about the creation of the U.S. Constitution by re-enacting key debates from the
Constitutional Convention.
Students will complete the reading samples chronicling key debates of the Constitutional Convention
and answer the questions that follow. Students will then share their findings with the class.
LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Influences on the U.S. Constitution (1 day)
Evaluate the ideas, people, and historical documents that influenced the writing of the U.S. Constitution.
Answer the following question:
When the delegates were debating and writing the U.S. Constitution, where did their ideas about
government and rights come from? Share and discuss student responses.
(Student response could include: documents and government examples from other countries such as
Great Britain; government experiences during the Colonial period; Declaration of Independence; state
governments.)
Student groups will complete the 2 sided graphic organizer, Documents and Ideas That Influenced the
U.S. Constitution. Share and discuss student responses. During the discussion, check for student
understanding and address any misinformation students may have recorded during their research.
Writing reflection: In your opinion, which individual or idea had the most influenced on the writing of
the U.S. Constitution? Cite evidence from the graphic organizer.
LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Debate to Ratification (2 days)
Analyze the debate between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists, and its impact on the ratification
of the U.S. Constitution.
Provide each student with a copy of the fictional conversation between John Jay and Elbridge Gerry,
where they each give their opinions about signing the U.S. Constitution. Have two students volunteer to
read the play aloud.
What is the strongest reason John Jay gave for signing the U.S. Constitution?
What is the strongest reason Elbridge Gerry gave for not signing the U.S. Constitution?
Which delegate do you agree with? Why?
Introduce and discuss the following terms and definitions:
Anti-Federalists believed that the U.S. Constitution should contain a bill of rights that protected the
rights of the individual against the central government.
The Federalists believed that the U.S. Constitution (as written) protected the rights of the individual
against the central government (a bill of rights was not needed).
A bill of rights is a summary of fundamental rights and privileges guaranteed to a people against
violation by their government.
Part 1
Using the Growth of a New Nation Smore, complete the worksheet illustrating the differences between
the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Important Federalists include James Madison, John Jay and
Alexander Hamilton. Important Anti-Federalists include Patrick Henry and George Mason.
Part 2
Examine the history of the Federalist Papers. Discuss with students that the purpose of these
documents was to explain and defend the U.S. Constitution in a public forum (similar to editorials in
today's newspapers). Read and debrief the Federalist Papers (1787) excerpt on p. 172 in the text.
Compare it to the Anti-Federalist' point of view using links on the Growth of a New Nation Smore.
In groups, have students complete the primary source quote handout, “Who Said It?” Students need to
decide whose opinion does the quote represent – Federalist or Anti-Federalist and support their choice
with evidence from the quotes. Share and discuss student responses to the questions.