Democracy: A Big Challenge

By Tracey Roudez

The United States Constitution Comes to Life!

Introduce students to the drafting and signing of the Constitution as they develop interviewing and persuasive writing skills.

OBJECTIVE
Students will:

Work together in cooperative groups
Understand the following keywords: Constitution, signers, reporter, newspaper, interview
Understand the contributions these Founding Fathers: Washington, Franklin, Madison, Hamilton
Understand the purpose for the United States Constitution
Use research skills
Write a persuasive letter to achieve a desired outcome

LESSONS FOR THIS UNIT
Lesson 1: U.S. Constitution Roll Call
Lesson 2: The Art of Persuasion

REPRODUCIBLES
Interview a Founding Father Printable (PDF)
Powerful Words Printable (PDF)

CULMINATING ACTIVITY

Students will participate in a mock question-and-answer session where “newspaper reporters” will interview four “Founding Fathers.”

SUPPORTING BOOKS

Books for Teaching About the Constitution

Teacher Store

The Teacher Store

Persuasive Writing

by Tara McCarthy

View Table of Contents:

Table of Contents

Engaging mini-lessons, strategies, and activities reveal the fine art of persuasive writing. Show students how to identify persuasive words, analyze ads and commercials, direct their writing at a specific audience, and write persuas

$9.95
Professional Book | Grades 4-8

Persuasive Writing

Grades 4-8 $9.95

Teacher Store

The Teacher Store

10,000 Days of Thunder

by Philip Caputo

The war that lasted ten thousand days sparked riots, inspired songs, and still reverberates today. This stirring chronicle presents a multi-faceted view of the Vietnam conflict to young readers, exploring the war and the controversies that changed the lives of a generation of Americans. Includes timeline, glossary and bibliography. "Dramatic and immediate." - Booklist

$12.95
Paperback Book | Grades 6-9

10,000 Days of Thunder

Grades 6-9 $12.95

ARTICLE	Celebrate Constitution Day People across the country will honor the Constitution on September 17, Constitution Day. The day officially honors the ratification of the United States Constitution, which was signed into law on September 17, 1787.

LESSON PLAN	The Persuasive Letter Highlights a lesson plan for teaching your students the components of writing a persuasive business letter.

ONLINE ACTIVITY	Writing with Writers Develop writing skills with tips and tricks from favorite authors. Areas include biography, descriptive writing, folktales, mystery, myths, journalism

BOOK INFORMATION	Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters From Obedience School Through a series of hilarious letters home, Ike tries everything to get released from obedience school. Not until the madcap climax — involving a daring rescue with tricks learned at school — does Ike work his way back into Mrs. LaRue's good graces and move back home.