ALEX Classroom Resource

  

The Constitutional Convention: A Tour of Signers Hall

  Classroom Resource Information  

Title:

 The Constitutional Convention: A Tour of Signers Hall

URL:

 https://constitutioncenter.org/learn/hall-pass/constitution-day-2010-the-judicial-branch

Content Source:

 Other
National Constitution Center
Type: Audio/Video

Overview:

This is a video from the National Constitution Center, guest-starring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. In this free video, the Constitutional Convention celebrates the writing of the Constitution by going inside the Convention at the National Constitution Center’s Signers’ Hall! Students learn about the ideas behind the document and see the life-size statues while getting to know some of the most famous Founding Fathers. Students talk about the system of government which the Constitution created and get an up-close look at how the balance of powers protects our freedoms as citizens. This video can be used as an introduction to a lesson or unit on the Constitution.

Content Standard(s):
Social Studies
SS2010 (2010)
Grade: 12
United States Government
3 ) Analyze major features of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights for purposes, organization, functions, and principles, including rule of law, federalism, limited government, popular sovereignty, judicial review, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

•  Explaining main ideas of the debate over ratification that included the Federalist papers
•  Analyzing the Bill of Rights for its application to historical and current issues
•  Outlining the formal process of amending the Constitution of the United States
Unpacked Content
Strand: History, Civics and Government
Course Title: United States Government
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • Analyze key principles of US government by explaining their presence in the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.
  • Dissect a current or historical issue to identify how the meaning of the U.S. Constitution or one of its key principles is/was debated.
  • Cite examples and evidence of how the Constitution acquires new meaning through both the amendment process as well as interpretation.
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • rule of law
  • federalism
  • limited government
  • popular sovereignty
  • judicial review
  • separation of powers
  • checks and balances
  • ratification
  • Anti-Federalist
  • confederation
  • amending
  • Federalist
  • article of the Constitution
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • Key principles of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights as well as their meaning.
  • Key arguments given by the Federalists and Anti-Federalists regarding the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
  • The Constitution is an evolving document through both formal and informal means.
  • The process by which an amendment can be added to the U.S. Constitution.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • Outline the possible paths taken to ratify an amendment to the Constitution.
  • Interpret how constitutional principles are embedded in current and past issues in US history and politics.
  • Interpret primary documents from both Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
  • Analyze a given passage of the U.S. Constitution to identify how it relates to a key principle of American government.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • Many key principles of the Constitution, including judicial review, federalism, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, rule of law, and popular sovereignty, are embedded in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and that their meaning has been debated throughout U.S. history.
Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
SS.USG.AAS.12.3- Identify the major purposes of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.
SS.USG.AAS.12.3a - Outline the possible paths taken to ratify an amendment to the Constitution.
Social Studies
SS2010 (2010)
Grade: 12
United States Government
14 ) Describe the role of citizens in American democracy, including the meaning, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship; due process and other rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States; and participation in the election process.

•  Explaining how the balance between individual versus majority rule and state versus national authority is essential to the functioning of the American democratic society (Alabama)
Examples: majority rule and minority rights, liberty and equality, state and national authority in a federal system, civil disobedience and rule of law, freedom of the press, right to a fair trial, relationship of religion and government (Alabama)

Unpacked Content
Strand: History, Civics and Government
Course Title: United States Government
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • Justify the means by which a citizen can shape the political process in America while giving consideration to other values and rights in the American political system.
  • Summarize what rights are given to US citizens by the Constitution and the limitations on these rights.
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • value conflict
  • due process
  • majority rule
  • minority rights
  • civil disobedience
  • democratic society
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • Expectations and responsibilities associated with U.S. citizenship. Rights afforded to U.S. citizens as found in the Bill of Rights, such as free exercise of religion and right to a fair trial.
  • Means of participation by citizens in the United States that shape the political process, such as voting and protesting.
  • How equally important American values and concepts, such as citizens' rights and the rule of law, can come into conflict amongst one another, such as national authority and state rights.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • Critique the rights and responsibilities of citizens as they come into conflict with other constitutional rights and responsibilities of the American government.
  • Defend one perspective in a conflict amongst equally important American values or concepts.
  • Justify a means by which a citizen can influence the outcome of an election beyond voting.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • Both rights and responsibilities are associated with American citizenship afforded to them by the American Constitution and the meaning of such rights is contested in certain circumstances.
Alabama Archives Resources:
Click below to access all Alabama Archives resources aligned to this standard.
Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
SS.USG.AAS.12.14a- Understand that citizens have rights and responsibilities; recognize rights that citizens are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.
Tags: Bill of Rights, Constitution
License Type: Custom Permission Type
See Terms: https://constitutioncenter.org/about/terms-of-use-and-privacy-policy
For full descriptions of license types and a guide to usage, visit :
https://creativecommons.org/licenses
Accessibility
Comments

The National Constitution Center is a free resource for teachers. The video is 18 minutes 10 seconds in length. There are links to additional resources including lesson plans, additional videos, and discussion questions.  

  This resource provided by:  
Author: Ginger Boyd