Lesson by Tim Bailey
Essay by Denver Brunsman, The George Washington University
Grade Level: 7–12
Number of Class Periods: 5
Primary Era: The New Nation, 1783–1815
About This Lesson Plan Unit
The five lessons in this unit explore how policymakers from different states understood the benefits and liabilities of a new federal constitution. Students will read from the Federalist Papers, Antifederalist Papers, and correspondence. You will assess students’ understanding through critical thinking questions and performed debates scripted by students.
Lesson Plan Author: Tim Bailey
Historical Background Essay by: Denver Brunsman, The George Washington University
Additional Information About This Unit
Common Core State Standards
Common Core State Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the key details and ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.3: Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.1: Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (oneon-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
According to political essayists, what were the strongest arguments in favor of a new federal constitution?
According to political essayists, what were the strongest arguments against a federal constitution?
How did people show or share their political beliefs?
How did Americans with strong political opinions attempt to sway one another?
Documents
Documents
Excerpts from Federalist Papers #1, #10, #51, and #84, The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, as Agreed upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787
Excerpts from Anti-Federalist Papers #1, #9, #46, and #84 printed in The Antifederalist Papers, Morton Borden, ed.
Resolution of Congress Forwarding the Constitution to the States for Ratification, September 28, 1787
A Letter from John Peirce to Henry Knox, November 12, 1787
John Hancock on the Need for Constitutional Amendments, ca. August 1788
Report of a Brawl between Federalists and Anti-Federalists on July 4, 1788, Freeman’s Journal or, the North-American Intelligencer (Philadelphia), July 16, 1788