Last week was all about creating the Constitution and the rights it provided to our new, stronger national government. This week, the final week of social studies for the first quarter, we turned our focus to what it took to ratify this controversial document.
On Tuesday, we learned about the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. We discussed who they were and what they believed. Then, much to the enthusiasm of all of my classes, the kids were asked to make memes to demonstrate their understanding of both groups. There are not many times in life where students are excited about homework or telling jokes about early American political groups. This was one of those times! I will say, several memes made us all laugh out loud.
On Wednesday, we discussed the document that the Anti-Federalists demanded in order to consider ratification, the Bill of Rights. The class began with reviewing the 10 amendments that make up the Bill of Rights and why each were included. Then, and I apologize if it has made it home already, we listened to a Bill of Rights song set to the tune of Shake it Off. Finally, we played two rounds of Bill of Rights Bingo to cement our understanding.
On Thursday, the students were told that we would hold a second Constitutional Convention in order to have all of the states agree to ratification. In order to do this, each state was asked to select one thing that they wanted to add, remove, or change from the Constitution. For example, they may want to change the age requirement for the president, add the Bill of Rights, or remove the 3/5 clause.
Then, they created a colonial broadside to convince fellow delegates that their selection was necessary for the ratification. Each broadside had to include a catchy title, an image, and three historically accurate reasons for the need to add, change, or remove the item to or from the Constitution. Below are images of the kids creating their broadsides.
Finally, on Friday we held our second convention. The day began with reviewing the broadsides from all of the classes. Students were asked to consider 4 items that should be included in today's debates and which topics were necessary for their state to agree to ratify the Constitution. Next, delegates were given an opportunity to introduce a topic, which had to be seconded before we could open the floor for debate. Some of the topics included the addition of the Bill of Rights, allowing all citizens the right to vote, and removing the president as the commander and chief of the military, their ability to pardon federal criminals, and the removal 3/5 clause. The topics were all hotly debated, with really excellent points made and some great insight provided. In the end, all three classes voted for the removal of the 3/5 clause. In period 1 and 3 the Bill of Rights was added, and in period 2 the president can no longer pardon federal criminals. Additionally, I am happy to report that all three classes agreed to ratify the Constitution (though period 2 it was a close call). Below are pictures of our day.
