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US Constitution Unit
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US Constitution Lessons & Activities | Interactive Simulation for 5th–8th Grades

(24 customer reviews)

$24.00

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Early America Unit | Interactive Early Republic Activities (5th–8th Grade)

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Description

This U.S. Constitution unit covers how the Constitution was created and how the US government works. Your students will love the simulation where they are delegates at a Constitutional Convention who debate and vote on issues like presidential terms and representation in Congress.

I’ve made these US Constitution activities as easy as possible for busy teachers to implement. From thorough lesson plans to answer keys – it’s all there. This unit will prepare you to teach about complex topics like the US Constitution and slavery, popular sovereignty, limited government, federalism, separation of powers, and more.

Even better, this unit makes a boring topic fun! The 15 U.S. Constitution lessons are filled with a variety of engaging activities. By the end, your students will be experts not only on how the Constitution came to be but also on how it affects daily lives today.

Save time and money by bundling this U.S. Constitution unit with other history resources you need.

U.S. History Curriculum Bundle | Save 20% on All Units (5th–8th Grade)

Here’s what’s included in this 3-week U.S. Constitution unit:

Part 1: Context for the Constitutional Convention

  • The Articles of Confederation— identify the strengths and weaknesses (informative article, task cards, classifying worksheet)
  • 6 Key Concepts—describe key concepts: popular sovereignty, limited government, republicanism, federalism, separation of powers, checks & balances (student booklet, sorting cards, game)

Part 2: Events of the Constitutional Convention

  • Simulation: Become a Delegate—assume a fictional identity as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention (article, identity cards, delegate character sketch, and more)
  • Simulation: Choosing Representatives—in a simulated Constitutional Convention, debate and vote on how congressional representations should be chosen (arguments for both sides, student worksheets, informative article)
  • Simulation: Representation in Congress—in a simulated Constitutional Convention, debate and vote on how states should be represented in Congress (arguments for both sides, student worksheets, informative article)
  • Simulation: Presidential Terms—in a simulated Constitutional Convention, debate and vote on how long presidential terms should be (arguments for both sides, student worksheets, informative article)
  • The US Constitution and Slavery—identify sections of the Constitution that permitted slavery and how these sections affected the nation (informative article, graphic organizer)
  • Ratification of the Constitution—identify primary source quotes as Federalist or Antifederalist arguments (informative article, primary sources, student posters, reflection sheet)

Part 3: The Constitution and the US Government

  • Be a Constitution Detective—use the Constitution to summarize the main idea of each section and answer questions about the US government (puzzle pieces, student worksheet)
  • The Preamble—translate and illustrate the Preamble (task cards & recording sheet, student-created posters, preamble cut apart for memorizing)
  • Three Branches of Government—explain how power is separated between the three branches of government (posters/anchor charts, matching worksheet, card game)
  • Federal, State, and Local Governments—list and analyze the powers of the federal and state governments and research elected officials (graphic organizers game, research elected leaders worksheet)
  • The Bill of Rights—interpret and teach about the Bill of Rights (worksheet for analyzing each Bill of Right, amendment rap,  main idea worksheets, cards for acting out the Bill of Rights)
  • Amendments—categorize the amendments and create my own amendment (amendments timeline, amendments chart, create my own amendment worksheet)
  • The Constitution in Your Daily Life—explain how the Constitution affects me in my daily life and analyze The American’s Creed (teacher guide, situations worksheet, writing about The American’s Creed)

The US Constitution Unit Help For The Teacher

  • Table of contents (also available in the preview)
  • Suggested pacing guide
  • 15 lesson plans
  • Answer Keys (Of course!)
  • Editable end-of-unit test and study guide
  • Easy printing file with all student worksheets and articles

Preview the U.S. Constitution activities 

Download a PDF preview.

Watch a video preview:

This U.S. Constitution unit also includes digital access via Google Slides.

I have created a Google Slides resource for each lesson. Each resource contains student instructions, student worksheets with editable text boxes, and articles/task cards, if applicable. Teachers can assign Google Slides via Google Classroom.

Why I created this U.S. Constitution unit plan

1. I want your students to love learning about U.S. history!
 
2. Teachers deserve excellent social studies resources (Can someone please tell our school districts?)
 
3. Planning complete units is tedious and time-consuming. I want to save teachers time so they can focus on doing what they love—teaching!

Here’s what people are saying about these U.S. Constitution lessons 

“My students love these resources! I have become a “Rock Star” Social Studies teacher because of them. This is my 5th packet and it’s superb! The role-playing is always their favorite part and they truly learn about history through their active involvement. Don’t let the price scare you – the resource is worth every single penny! Not only are the kids learning, but I always learn from these resources as well. Very thought out and engaging! Thank you!”

—Karen C.

“I absolutely love everything that The Clever Teacher makes. She makes units so fun and includes a variety of different activities to try with your class. I have learned so many strategies from her lesson plans. My kids love her simulations and I feel they are actually learning and retaining information! ”

—Tailor H.

“I love the three week unit plans I get from The Clever Teacher! My students understood the Constitutional Convention for the activity in here. They were engaged and had a great understanding of our Constitution. ”

—Jacquelyn S.

FAQs

How can this unit be for grades 5th – 8th?

The unit articles are written at a 7th-8th grade reading level. If you teach one of those grades, your students will be able to complete the activities more or less independently.

If you teach 5th or 6th grade, I recommend reading and analyzing the articles with your students. They will do great! Check out the reviews to see how teachers at your grade level have successfully used and loved this unit.

This Unit is Frequently Purchased With:

Westward Expansion Unit | Engaging Western Expansion Activities Grades 5–8

Early America Unit | Interactive Early Republic Activities (5th–8th Grade)

Important Customer Information

All of our products are digital and non-refundable. This is a digital file. A physical product will not be shipped. Please make sure you have a way to open: a zip file, PDFs, PowerPoint presentations, and a word document before purchasing. Please view the preview and read the product description carefully.
 
This product is not editable. The only part of the unit that is editable is the end-of-unit study guide and test. The other elements (like lesson plans, student worksheets, PowerPoint presentations, Google Slides, etc.) are not. The PDFs are password protected. This protects my work as well as the work of graphic and font artists I’ve purchased from. 
 
After purchasing, you should receive an email with the files. If you do not receive the email, please check your spam folder. You will also be able to download the file on this website by logging in to your account. Need help? Contact me at becca@thecleverteacher.com. Please allow 24 hours for a reply.
 
Sharing isn’t always caring. I have created all of these products myself. Your purchase gives you permission to copy for your classroom only. If your teaching friends love this unit and want to use it too, please direct them to my store. For more information, view my Terms of Use.

Copyright© 2024 The Clever Teacher. All rights reserved by the author.

Total Pages 159 pages
Answer Key Included
Teaching Duration 3 Weeks

24 reviews for US Constitution Lessons & Activities | Interactive Simulation for 5th–8th Grades

  1. Connie McGee (Verified Buyer) –

    Easy to follow, comprehensive overview for teaching the Constitution. Thank you!

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  2. Anonymous (Verified Buyer) –

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  3. Sarah Muske (Verified Buyer) –

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  4. Christine S. (Verified Buyer) –

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  5. Anonymous (Verified Buyer) –

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  6. Angela Whittaker (Verified Buyer) –

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  7. Julie (Verified Buyer) –

    Everything that I have purchased from the Clever Teacher is amazing! I love this unit as much as the others I have used!!

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  8. Magic Mapp (Verified Buyer) –

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  9. Tina (Verified Buyer) –

    Love how easy the plan is to follow.

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  10. Catherine S. (Verified Buyer) –

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  11. Brandi Thomas (Verified Buyer) –

    It won’t open

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  12. Anonymous (Verified Buyer) –

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  13. Kay Louer (Verified Buyer) –

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  14. YEHUDIS (Verified Buyer) –

    beyond helpful

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  15. Sarah I. (Verified Buyer) –

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  16. Marc Blakeley (Verified Buyer) –

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  17. andy simock (Verified Buyer) –

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  18. Delta (Verified Buyer) –

    Great resource! My students are enjoying learning about the Constitution.

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  19. Roberta (Verified Buyer) –

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  20. Noreen Yonkoff (Verified Buyer) –

    I am happy with my purchase, thank you

    (1) (1)

  21. Nancy A. (Verified Buyer) –

    The unit is very complete. I love that I can use it through GClassroom or print handouts. It is challenging, but that is what my little GT kiddos need!

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  22. Kimberly (Verified Buyer) –

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Q & A

Ask a question
How do I buy just the 3rd part of the 3 week constitution lesson? We have completed the 1st 2 & sadly I found you late. Archna Vahie asked on October 18, 2023

Hi, Thanks for your question. At this time, I only sell complete units. Sorry about that! Let me know if you have any other questions.

 Becca Cowan answered on October 18, 2023
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