LESSON PLAN:
Group Members: Shelby Ouimette, Bailey Johnson, Nicole Riggs, Gracie Key, Libby Warren,
Madeleine Carracino
Date: February 22nd, 2021
Subject Areas: 8th Grade English Language Arts and 8th Grade Social Studies
Writing the Constitution
Objectives:
1. Students will be able to use their media literacy skills to collect information from the
powerpoint and video shown in class and transform their ideas into a piece of writing.
2. Students will be able to use their comprehensive writing skills to take historical context
and use their own ideas to create an original piece of writing in reference to that time
period.
3. Students can identify historical figures George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and
James Madison.
4. Students will write a poem, diary entry, or personal account from the perspective of
George Washington, James Madison, or Alexander Hamilton.
Higher Order Thinking Questions:
1. How does understanding the mindset of historical figures of the past impact our
perspective of American culture today?
2. What would you add to the constitution if you could?
3. If the constitution was written today, what prime differences would there be?
Lesson Plan:
1. To start the lesson plan, students will be asked to explain what they already know about
the Constitutional Convention. This will serve as an introduction by allowing students to
engage in an open ended higher order thinking question.
2. The class is now going to shift to learning the new information. Students will be taking
notes while the Powerpoint presentation is being discussed.
3. Maddie will be doing an overview of the Constitutional Convention and the Birth of
America.
4. Bailey will introduce Alexander Hamilton and his role in the Constitutional Convention
and how he influenced the birth of America.
5. Libby will introduce George Washington and his role in the Constitutional Convention
and his influence on the birth of America.
6. Nicole will introduce James Madison and his role in the Constitutional Convention and
the birth of America.
7. Shelby will discuss the three different writing styles that are being introduced and give
examples of them.
8. After the presentation, students will be asked to write a short diary entry, poem, or
personal account about the life of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, or James
Madison in the padlet as introduced by Gracie.
9. Students will be graded for assessment based on the rubric posted below.
Materials:
- Students will need access to a stable internet connection to work Zoom and Padlet.
- Powerpoint Presentation
Activity:
- Students will be asked to write a poem, diary entry or personal account from the point of
view of one of the three following historical figures; George Washington, James
Madison, or Alexander Hamilton.
Assessment:
- Grading Rubric
Requirements 2 points 1 point Total Points /10
Students show that Students gave at Students failed to
they have a solid least two details incorporate specific
understanding of about their chosen details of their
the historical figure figure and show a chosen figure.
chosen as shown clear understanding
through their of the time period.
writing.
Context matches One figure was Information was
the chosen chosen and the presented, but did
historical figure. context matches. not match.
Student included Student included all Students failed to
name, title, and date three formatting add at least one of
on their submission. requirements. the formatting
requirements.
The assignment was The piece of writing The student turned
turned in on time. was turned in on in their assignment
time. past the due date.
Student has Student has read Student failed to
successfully read and commented on comment on two of
and added at least two of their their classmates’
comments to two of classmates’ work. work.
their classmates'
work.
NC Standards:
ELA: RI.8.7- Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums to present a
particular topic or idea.
W.8.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective
technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences
C. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to
develop experiences, events, and/or characters
SS: 8.H.1.2- Summarize the literal meaning of historical documents in order to establish context.
Annotated Bibliography
G., J. (2018, October 14). Historical Figures Point of View Blog [Slides]. Common Sense
Education. https://www.commonsense.org/education/lesson-plans/historical-
figures-point-of-view-blog
Jaymee G. is a high school teacher who specializes in English Language Arts,
Math, Science, Social Studies. The lesson plan has students of grades 8-12
explore a historical point of view and then modernize it in a blogging
format. The lesson is very hands-off and grants students a lot of creative
freedom. Students can pick their own historical figure from any point in
American history and design the blog how they see fit (with some
mandatory categories of course).
For the “Writing the Constitution” lesson, our lesson draws on similar themes.
The lesson incorporates selecting a historical figure and creating a literary
piece based on their beliefs and societal impact. While the medium is
different, this activity puts students in their shoes and ensures that they
understand this figure’s perspective.
Grades 6-8: Poetry Workshop | Scholastic. (n.d.). Scholastic.
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/grades-6-8-poetry-
workshop/
Scholastic Inc. is an organization that publishes English and writing content for schools
across America, and now the world. The segment “I Sing . . . of Comparisons” discusses
how comparing author backgrounds can bring insight to different poems. The “All-In for
Allegory” and “Figuring out the Figurative” explores the exploration of double meaning
in poems. “Jabbering for ‘Jabberwocky’” has readers learn to differentiate between
written and spoken poetry and the importance of word choice. “Imagine a Poem” has
students write about imagery and appeal to the five senses.
This article is a strong introduction to the basics of poetry. Incorporating these lessons
will create enrichment in their poems about historical figures. Also understanding these
concepts can provide a greater outlet of ideas and more creative opportunities.
Traveling the Road to Freedom Through Research and Historical Fiction -
ReadWriteThink. (n.d.). Read Write Think National Literacy Association.
Retrieved February 24, 2021, from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-
resources/lesson-plans/traveling-road-freedom-through-864.html?tab=2#tabs
This extensive lesson plan allows students to read historical pieces and understand their
beliefs and mindsets. Then students will be taught how to insert fictional characters into
the time period and create similar literature. “Writing the Constitution” calls on similar
themes and objectives described in the lesson plan. Although it will be condensed,
students will be able to display similar skills after the lesson.
This source has students explore different mediums of informational databases. It also
encourages students to research historical figures and understand their personality in
addition to their accomplishments. Students who follow this lesson show increased
capability of historical fiction creativity.
Works Cited
American Experience. (2018, December 26). The Federalist and the Republican Party.
American Experience | PBS.
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/duel-federalist-and-
republican-party/
B. (2020, December 9). Alexander Hamilton. Biography.
https://www.biography.com/political-figure/alexander-hamilton
Beeman, R. (n.d.). The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A Revolution in Government |
The National Constitution Center. Interactive Constitution.
https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/white-papers/the-
constitutional-convention-of-1787-a-revolution-in-government
Bolton, N., & Lloyd, G. (2018, October 30). The Constitutional Convention - Lesson
Plan for Act II. Teaching American History.
https://teachingamericanhistory.org/resources/lessonplans/act2/
History.com Editors. (2019, September 30). James Madison. HISTORY.
https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/james-madison
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. (n.d.). NC DPI: Standard Course of
Study. https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/classroom-resources/k-12-
standards-curriculum-and-instruction/standard-course-study
Oak Hill Publishing. (n.d.). United States Constitutional Convention. Constitution Facts.
https://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-constitution-amendments/the-constitutional-
convention/
The Democratic-Republican Party. (n.d.). Social Studies for Kids.
https://socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/democraticrepublicanparty.htm
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Democratic-Republican Party | History
& Ideology. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Democratic-Republican-Party
