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Elementary Lessons | Development of the Constitution

Description

Join us on an exciting journey as we uncover the secrets of the US Constitution! In this elementary history lesson, we explore how the founding fathers, like James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington, came together to solve the "puzzle" of creating a government for the new United States. From the challenges of the Articles of Confederation to the famous Great Compromise, discover how these brilliant minds crafted the framework that shaped the nation we know today. Learn about the Constitution’s three branches of government, the system of checks and balances, and how these pieces fit together to ensure a government by the people.

Our elementary lessons are primary source-based that focus on content-area literacy instruction and performance-based assessments. Designed for grades 3-5, these lessons use a modular approach for all learners and are ideal for helping elementary students explore American history and citizenship.

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During the “critical period” after the American Revolution, many were concerned that the Articles of Confederation were inadequate for the states to grow commercially and economically. The Confederation Congress announced a meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation, but not everyone was convinced that the Articles needed revision—or even that the goals of the Convention were admirable. Divisions emerged among the delegates regarding centralized power, executive power, representation, and slavery.