Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: The US Constitution and Government Name: Carlos Barajas

Content Area: US History Grade Level: 8th
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):
8.2 Students analyze the political principles underlying the U.S. Constitution and compare the enumerated and implied powers of the federal government.
-1. Discuss the significance of the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the May-flower Compact

-2.Analyze the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution and the success of each in implementing the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.

-3. Evaluate the major debates that occurred during the development of the Constitution and their ultimate resolutions in such areas as shared power among institutions,
divided state-federal power, slavery, the rights of individuals and states (later addressed by the addition of the Bill of Rights), and the status of American Indian nations
under the commerce clause.

-5. Understand the significance of Jeffersons Statute of Religious Freedom as a forerunner of the First Amendment and the origins, purpose, and differing views of the
founding fathers on the issue of the separation of church and state.

-6. Enumerate the powers of the government set forth in the Constitution and the fundamental liberties ensured by the Bill of Rights.

-7. Describe the principles of federalism, dual sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, the nature and purpose of majority rule, and the ways in which the
American idea of constitutionalism preserves individual rights.
Big Ideas:
-The foundations of the United States & the Constitution
-Federalism
-Separation of Powers
-Three Branches of Government

Essential Historical Question: What impact has the creation and development of the Constitution had on our modern society?

Unit Goals and Objectives:
-Students will understand the roots of the US Constitution by analyzing the establishment of the Mayflower Compact by completing guided notes as well as creating digital
flashcards on Quizlet

-Students will partake in a WebQuest in which they will use several sources on the internet to demonstrate their knowledge and comprehension of the three branches of
government in the United States.

-Students will learn about the idea of Federalism in the United States by creating a Venn Diagram graphic organizer in which they document the similarities and differences
between the Federal Government's powers and State Government's powers.

Unit Summary:
It is important to learn about the creation and development of the United States because, as Peter N. Stearns put it, "history helps us understand how the society we live in
came to be." The creation of this modern state is no small feat, one in which though not without faults, has been progressive on the side of democratic values and tolerance.
Having an understanding of the country in which the students reside will help them not just understand the past but also help them better put their lives in perspective.
Learning and analyzing the basis for the Constitution will also help students understand the great undertaking it was to have created the document and its importance and
roll in a democratic society. Having laid this foundation, the students will be better prepared to be active participants of society.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:
- K-W-L Chart (sections K & W)
Formative:
-K-W-L Chart (section L)
-Venn Diagram Graphic Organizer
-WebQuest
-Quizlet Flash Cards


Summative:
-Government Story
-Constitution Digital Poster
Lesson 1
Student Learning Objective:

Students will understand the
roots of the US Constitution by
analyzing the establishment of
the Mayflower Compact by
completing guided notes as
well as creating digital
flashcards on Quizlet.
Acceptable Evidence:

Completion of Guided Notes

Completion of Quizlet Flash
Cards
Instructional Strategies:
x Communication
Collection
Collaboration
x Presentation
Organization
Interaction
Lesson Activities:

Students will review a digital presentation on the establishment of the first document (the
Mayflower Compact) in what is now the United States. As the students view the presentation
they will complete guided notes. Once the guided notes have been assessed by the teacher the
students will create Quizlet flashcards.
Lesson 2
Student Learning Objective:

Students will partake in a
WebQuest in which they will
use several sources on the
internet to demonstrate their
knowledge and comprehension
of the three branches of
government in the United
States.

Acceptable Evidence:

Completion of Webquest
Questions relating to the
Judiciary branch, Executive
branch, Judicial branch
Instructional Strategies:
Communication
x Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
Organization
x Interaction
Lesson Activities:

Students will be presented with a set of questions regarding the Executive branch, Legislative
branch, and Judicial branch. The students will then interact with different websites (teacher
approved) that present them with information in different formats (ex. video). The students will
then answer the questions after going on their WebQuest.
Lesson 3
Student Learning Objective:

Students will learn about the
idea of Federalism in the
United States by creating a
Venn Diagram graphic
organizer in which they
document the similarities and
differences between the
Federal Government's powers
and State Government's
powers.

Acceptable Evidence:

Completion of Venn Diagram in
which they organize the powers
of the National government,
State governments and shared
powers.
Instructional Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
x Organization
x Interaction
Lesson Activities:

Students will first read about Federalism and the idea of a National government working in
conjunction with State governments. Students will then be presented with a list of powers that
they will organize into a Venn diagram graphic organizer.
Unit Resources:

Below is the list of resources used for this unit.

Government 101: Congress
Keith Hughes- Article III for Dummies: The Judiciary Explained
Executive Branch Slide Show by Allen Furlong
Mr. Barajas Mayflower Compact Presentation
Federalism
The Founders and Federalism
National Government vs. State Government


Useful Websites:

Below are a list of additional resources that assist in further learning about the United State Constitution and government.

Social Studies for Kids
Learning to Give
Info Please Encyclopedia
Britannica Encyclopedia-Mayflower Compact
Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Anti-Federalists
The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments EDSITEment
Federalism- UShistory.org
Federalism|US Constitution|PBS
Federalism Educational Videos
The Federalist Papers - THOMAS (Library of Congress)-#47
Our Documents - Federalist Papers, No. 10 & No. 51 (1787-1788)
Transcript of the Constitution of the United States - Official Text
Three Branches of Government (for kids) :: GenerationNation
Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights for Kids
Do I Have A Right?: Bill of Rights