1. What are the basic principles that I should know? (The 5 Principles of the Constitution)
Go to this site: http://www.successlink.org/great/g186.html
Create a poster (on the computer, if you like) for each of the five principles that show the meaning of the principle. Ms. Kilberth would like to use them for display. ( You may have to explain them to the class).The rubric for this assignment is at the site.
2. Get a copy of the Bill of Rights. Read the document carefully. If there is anything that you donít understand, ASK! At his site, you will be given an assignment to create a Bill of Rights for a new democratic country. This activity is designed to show some of the problems faced by our Founding Fathers. It also gives you the opportunity to decide which rights are important to you and which ones could be left out.
Go to this site:
http://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/soc/cecsst/cecsst216.html
3. As to some Constitutional issues, read about the famous Watergate incident at this site:
http://www.nara.gov/education/teaching/watergate/watergat.html
Be prepared to explain the Watergate incident to Mrs. Teoli, who lived through it, and never really understood it!
4. Go to this site to read about the signers of the Constitution:
http://nara.gov/education/teaching/constitution/signers.html
Research five of them, and be prepared to present an interesting, informative report about these five people. What qualities do all of these people have? What qualitites do leaders have? Be prepared to explain WHY these people were chosen as the signers of the Constitution. Your report can be written or typed on the computer - in your own words!
5. Get a copy of the Constitution and the Delaware ratification document from this site:
http://www.nara.gov/education/teaching/constitution/ratify.html
When you have these copies, go to Articles V and VII in the Constitution, as well as in the Delaware ratification document, and compare point-by-point the procedures for ratifying the Constituton with the procedures for ratifying amendments to the Constitution. Also, research the arguments of the debate over ratification. Write a paragraph in response to these questions: What has been the outcome of these arguments? Are the arguments still significant today? Also, consult this site for an in-depth look at the ratification process:
http://www.nara.gov/exhall/charters/constitution/conmain.html
6. The Constitution provided for the reestablishment of the Navy in the United States. From the reading of the Constitution, locate general references to the Navy in the document. As you identify references, write down the article and section numbers and a brief statement about each one.
Go to this site:
http://www.nara.gov/education/teaching/navy/lesson.html
7. Visit this site to ìQuestions and Answers Pertaining to the Constitutionî to find out some fascinating facts about the Constitution. Write them down!
http://www.nara.gov/exhall/charters/constitution/conmain.html
8. Read, in detail, the three lessons on the following site:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/lessons/constitu/conintro.html
Do all of the activities on two of the first three lessons. (The fourth lesson is for elementary school children!)