HOME THE MAKING

OF THE

CONSTITUTION

HOMEHello, I’m Ben Franklin and I will be your tour guide while you travel to the past and find out just what we did during the Constitutional Convention.

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HOME You will be traveling back in time as a reporter for a newspaper in a state of your choice. Your editor is sending you to Philadelphia to find out what is going on at this secret meeting. Like any good reporter you need to find out who, what, when, where, why, and how.

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HOME When you return you must prepare a report for your readers to inform them of what you found. Your assignment pad with questions and suggested ways of presenting your information to your readers and your teacher’s rubric should be printed before you begin. Click on the broadside below to view the assignment and the suggested presentations. When you have finished click back to return here.

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HOMEAt any time during your journey if you would like to hear any of the slides you have already heard, click on home at the top of the page. This will bring you to a listing of the slides. Just click on the slide you would like to review. Then return to the map to click on the slide you want to begin again.

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HOMETo really have your readers understand

your report you need to begin with

background material. What was the reason for the Constitutional

Convention? Let’s start our journey

back in time to 1783.

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HOME

1783

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HOME After 8 long years the Americans have won the revolution!!! All is well with the new nation. Or is it? Let’s find out what is going on in the new nation. The following slide contains a map of the new country. There are 7 different pictures there. Click on each of the pictures to learn more about the events that led to the Constitutional Convention. Start with the title of the page. To return to the map click back.

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HOMEUnited States of America ???

Owned by Spain

When you are finished click here to continue.

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Since the young country had no central navy, pirates at sea caught American citizens and put them into slavery. The country had no way to stop this.

Come and get

me!

HA! HA! HA!

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There was no agreement among the states as to what would be done about the Indians in the West or what to do with the western territories.

Should we let people settle out west?

What about the Indians?

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James Madison Thomas Jefferson

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Spain owned the land Spain owned the land at the mouth of the at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Mississippi River.

They would not allow They would not allow the American ships the American ships to use it. This made to use it. This made

it very difficult to it very difficult to ship goods from the ship goods from the west. It also made west. It also made

trade with other trade with other nations difficult.nations difficult.

America

Spain

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STOP

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Please leave!

NO!

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Even though the Even though the Americans won the Americans won the revolution, England revolution, England refused to leave the refused to leave the forts in the West. The forts in the West. The Americans had no way Americans had no way to remove them.to remove them.

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When the war ended the troops went home. Since there was no strong central government to raise money, there were no armed forces. Each state had its own militia. The new country was very much in danger of being taken over by another country since we had no way to defend ourselves.Hel

p!

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Why didn’t the original states become a real nation after the American Revolution?

The states fought the American Revolution so that they would not be ruled by a country far away. The country was so big – actually 10 times bigger than most countries that it took weeks for people to get news from one state to another – almost like being ruled by a country far away. When William Houston, pictured below, left Georgia to go to New York he said,

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I left my country “to go to a strange

land amongst strangers”

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Because there was no strong central government, coining money was a problem. Each state had its own money so trade even between states was difficult.That will

be 80 schlotts!

Schlotts? I have cubes. How many

cubes equal 1 schlott?

New JerseyNew York

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Most Americans were farmers. After the war prices on everything went up. These farmers began to owe a lot of money. At that time if a person couldn’t pay the debts he owed he was put in jail. Many farmers were sent to jail. Daniel Shays who fought bravely in the Revolution decided to do something about this. He led a revolt against the state of Massachusetts so the farmers could keep their farms and get help to pay their debts. His men were defeated and 4 farmers were killed. This event scared people. They thought that this revolt would spread. The new government had no way to help Massachusetts.

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Now that you have all of the background

information you need. Let’s try a quiz to see how much you know.

Click on the quiz below.

QUIZWhen you are finishedclick here to continue.

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After a few tries the delegates finally began their meeting on May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia with 2 important rules. One was they must keep whatever they talked about a secret and the other was that they could change their minds at any time with no questions asked and revote. Click on Independence Hall for a tour of the rooms the delegates used.

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HOME Each delegate was very different and brought different experiences to the convention. Choose at least 5 delegates from 3different states to see what they contributed to the writing of the constitution. Click on the link below, scroll down to the picture and click on the delegates of your choice. When you are finished just X out of the delegate information and then X out of the picture of the delegate.

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DELEGATES

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Massachusetts

ConnecticutNew York

Rhode Island

Vermont

New Jersey

Delaware

Pennsylvania

MarylandVirginia

North Carolina

South Carolina

Georgia

United States of America

For more informatio

n about your

delegates click on

the states.

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HOMEJames Madison who was called the “Father of the Constitution” was from Virginia. He kept a journal of all that was happening at the convention. Click on the journal below to read a summary of this journal See if you can find something about at least one of your delegates.

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The constitution was signed on September 17,

1787. It is one of the shortest constitutions in

the world. It has only been amended (changed) 27 times in over 200 years.

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The signing of the U.S. Constitution by The signing of the U.S. Constitution by 39 members of the Constitutional 39 members of the Constitutional Congress on September 17, 1787; Congress on September 17, 1787;

painting by Helen Clark Chandlerpainting by Helen Clark Chandler

To see a picture of one of the

original copies of the constitution,

click here NEXT

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ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER?

Now you know all there is to know about the

Constitutional Convention. Do your

parents? Take the quiz below. Make sure you

take part 2. Keep score. Have an adult take it and see if they are smarter than a 5th

grader!QUIZWhen you are finishedclick here to continue.

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The first part of the Constitution is called the preamble The first part of the Constitution is called the preamble and tells what those founding fathers set out to do.and tells what those founding fathers set out to do.

We the peopleWe the peopleIn order to form a more perfect In order to form a more perfect union, Establish justice, insure union, Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility,domestic tranquility,Provide for the common defense,Provide for the common defense,Promote the general welfare andPromote the general welfare andSecure the blessings of libertySecure the blessings of libertyTo ourselves and our posterityTo ourselves and our posterityDo ordain and establish this Do ordain and establish this ConstitutionConstitutionfor the United States of America.for the United States of America.

THE PREAMBLE

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The constitution is the law of the land. Here is a The constitution is the law of the land. Here is a brief explanation of what it contains. Click on brief explanation of what it contains. Click on Article I, II, and III for further explanation.Article I, II, and III for further explanation.

Article I. Explains the Congress, its powers and responsibilities.

Article. II. Explains the election of the president and vice president

and the powers and responsibilities of the executive branch.

Article. III.Explains the Supreme Court with its powers and responsibilities

Article. IV. Explains the relationship between the state and the federal

government and the relationship of the states to each other.

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Article. V. Explains how the constitution can be changed or amended.

Article. VI. Explains that the government is responsible for all debts of the nation, that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that all government officials must take an oath of

office.

Article. VII.Explains that for the Constitution to go into effect, nine states

must approve it.

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The Bill of Rights was the first 10 amendments to the constitution. Without them, the constitution would not have been ratified. These are guarantees of personal rights that had been violated by England when America was a colony. Many people felt very strongly that these had to be part of the constitution.

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BILL OF RIGHTS

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Amendment ICongress cannot interfere with religion, free speech, free press or the right to assemble peacefully.

Amendment IIThe right to have weapons.

Amendment IIICannot force citizens to house soldiers without their permission.

Amendment IVThere will be no search or seizure of persons, their home, property or papers without a warrant.

Amendment VThere will be no trial of a serious offense without a grand jury indictment, there will be no second trial for the same crime. No citizen can be forced to be a witness against himself. Property cannot be taken for public use without offering a fair price.

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Amendment VIGuarantees a speedy trial in public for crimes, a trial where the crime was committed, a fair jury, an accusation, a lawyer and all witnesses must testify in front of the accused.

Amendment VIIGuarantees the right of a trial by jury.

Amendment VIIICannot give too large a bail or fine or cruel or unusual punishment.

Amendment IXAny right not stated in the Constitution cannot be taken away.

Amendment XAny power not given to the federal government or forbidden by the Constitution to the states are the powers of the state or the people.GAME NEXT

HOME MAP MAP Slide 1 – Slide 1 – TitleTitle Slide 2 – Slide 2 – Introduction of Ben FranklinIntroduction of Ben Franklin Slide 3 – Slide 3 – Your assignment during your time travel.Your assignment during your time travel. Slide 4 - Slide 4 -

Your assignment on your return along with a link to Your assignment on your return along with a link to the forms to use during and after the trip.the forms to use during and after the trip.

Slide 5 – Slide 5 – Explanation of the mapExplanation of the map Slide 6 – Slide 6 – Ben’s explanation for background materialBen’s explanation for background material Slide 7 – Slide 7 – Enter the time machine.Enter the time machine. Slide 8 – Slide 8 – HurrahHurrah Slide 9 – Slide 9 – Why was the Constitution written?Why was the Constitution written? Slide 10 - Slide 10 -

Interactive information map of background material.Interactive information map of background material.

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Slide 11 – Slide 11 – Pirate attacksPirate attacks Slide 12 – Slide 12 – Westward expansionWestward expansion Slide 13 – Slide 13 – Spain in the USSpain in the US Slide 14 - Slide 14 - England in the WestEngland in the West Slide 15 – Slide 15 – No armed forcesNo armed forces Slide 16 – Slide 16 –

Why was there no central government befWhy was there no central government before?ore?

Slide 17 – Slide 17 – MoneyMoney Slide 18 – Slide 18 – Shay’s rebellionShay’s rebellion Slide 19 – Slide 19 – Are you smarter than a 5Are you smarter than a 5thth grader? grader?

Slide 20 - Slide 20 - Independence Hall tour.Independence Hall tour.NEXT

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Slide 21 – Slide 21 – Link to interactive delegate pictureLink to interactive delegate picture Slide 22 – Slide 22 – Interactive delegate mapInteractive delegate map Slide 23 – Slide 23 –

Link to summary of James Madison’s journalLink to summary of James Madison’s journal Slide 24 - Slide 24 - Date of signing of the ConstitutionDate of signing of the Constitution Slide 25 – Slide 25 –

Picture of the signing of the ConstitutionPicture of the signing of the Constitution Slide 26 – Slide 26 – Preamble and songPreamble and song Slide 27 – Slide 27 – First 4 articles with linksFirst 4 articles with links Slide 28 – Slide 28 – Last 3 articlesLast 3 articles Slide 29 – Slide 29 –

Explanation of the reason for the Bill of RightExplanation of the reason for the Bill of Rightss

Slide 30 - Slide 30 - Amendments 1-5Amendments 1-5NEXT

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Slide 31 – Slide 31 – Amendments 6-10 and gameAmendments 6-10 and game Slide 32 – 35 Slide 32 – 35 MapMap Slide 36 – Slide 36 –

Virtual field trips to Capitol, Supreme CVirtual field trips to Capitol, Supreme Court and White Houseourt and White House

Slide 37 – Slide 37 – PuzzlesPuzzles Slide 38 – Slide 38 – For more informationFor more information Slide 39&40 - Slide 39&40 - CreditsCredits Slide 41 – Slide 41 – AssignmentAssignment Slide 42 – Slide 42 – Suggested productsSuggested products

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FUN THINGS TO DO!!!

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF :

WHITE HOUSE

http://www.whitehouse.org/tours/virtual.asp

CAPITOL

http://www.senate.gov/vtour/index.html

SUPREME COURT

http://www.oyez.org/tour/courtroom/North_Frieze_movie/

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Puzzles:http://www.constitutioncenter.org/explore/ForKids/ConstitutionalPuzzles/asset_upload_file117_5165.shtml

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/explore/ForKids/ConstitutionalPuzzles/asset_upload_file14_5165.htm

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/explore/ForKids/ConstitutionalPuzzles/asset_upload_file787_5165.shtml

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More biographies of the delegates:

http://www.americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/FATHERS.HTM

http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/B/index.htm

After clicking the link, click OK then scroll down to the delegates.

http://www.lawrelatededucation.org/Resources/Elementary_Manual/Framers%20of%20the%20Constitution.pdf

More information on the constitution and our form of government:

http://www.usconstitution.net/constkids4.html

http://www.c-span.org/classroom/govt/3branches.asp

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Credits for clip art and Credits for clip art and animationanimation http://bestanimations.com/ http://bestanimations.com/

http://www.barbspics.com/clipart/american/_american_index.html

http://www.webdeveloper.com/animations/ http://www.animationfactory.com/en/search/index

.mc?nc=1&q=quill http://school.discovery.com/clipart/category/

new.html

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http://www.constitutioncenter.org/explore/Foundihttp://www.constitutioncenter.org/explore/FoundingFathers/index.shtmlngFathers/index.shtml

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/graphics/13http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/graphics/13mapnew.htmmapnew.htm

http://www.americanrevolution.com/WilliamHouston.htm

http://www.ushistory.org/tour/gifs/independencehall.jpg

http://www.smhill.net/.../images/scott_the_pirate.png

http://www.50states.com/maps/new_jersey.htm http://www.50states.com/maps/new_york.htm http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/

convention/christy/ NEXT

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WHO?WHO?Which delegates did you choose?Which delegates did you choose?WHAT?WHAT?What did they do at the convention?What did they do at the convention?WHEN?WHEN?When were they there?When were they there?WHERE?WHERE?Which states are they from?Which states are they from?WHY?WHY?Why did they go to the convention?Why did they go to the convention?HOW?HOW?How did they vote?How did they vote?

Assignment

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HOME PresentationsPresentations

Write a broadside either in newspaper Write a broadside either in newspaper format using Publisher or as a poster.format using Publisher or as a poster.

Do a video taped interview of a Do a video taped interview of a delegate.delegate.

Oral in the form of a soapbox Oral in the form of a soapbox description.description.

Please see the teachers with other Please see the teachers with other ideas. ideas.

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This Virtual Field Trip was created for the course “Virtual Field Trips for the Elementary School” by Sharon Marigliano.

To report errors, broken links, or to ask a question; email me at smarigliano@sau61.com