Library Connections
Grade 2, 1st OI
U.S. Constitution: Using Research Skills to Develop Knowledge
TEKS SS1(A) Explain the significance of various community, state, and national celebrations. 4(A) Identify the
contributions of historical figures who have influenced the community, state, and nation 8(B) Use electronic
tools and research skills to build a knowledge base regarding a topic, task, or assignment.
Organizing Idea: Communication / Activity: James Madison & the U.S. Constitution
Learning Target: Identify James Madison and the U. S. Constitution
Materials / Resources
Biography of James Madison
The U.S. Constitution by Norman Pearl (342.7302 PEA) or other book on the Constitution
online database resources:
http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/article?id=ar831102&st=james+madison
http://www.pebblego.com/content/socialstudies/pgo_player.php
A three-legged stool or tripod
Read the Constitution Day Floating Lesson (IC Planner) and coordinate this lesson with the classroom
Procedure
1. Show students a picture of President James Madison and ask the question, “Who am I?”
a. Give the following clues to see if they can figure it out.
i.
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin were among my
very best friends.
ii.
I was the fourth president of the United States
iii.
My wife, Dolley, loved to have parties in the White House. In fact, she started
the tradition of Inaugural Balls (explain concept).
iv.
Thomas Jefferson is the Father of the Declaration of Independence, but I am
the Father of the Constitution.
2. Ask students if they know what the Constitution is. Add to their ideas by explaining that it
is the plan of government of the United States of America. Just like their teachers have
lesson plans to guide learning, a constitution guides our country.
3. How did we get a constitution to guide our country?
a. Became an independent nation, free to make our own decisions.
b. Thirteen states that needed to work together (compare students working together)
i.
Get more done with teamwork
ii.
Work cooperatively with other countries
iii.
Share money and responsibilities
4. Talk to students about the importance of James Madison in our country’s history. Show
website in World Book Encyclopedia
http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/article?id=ar831102&st=james+madison
http://www.pebblego.com/content/socialstudies/pgo_player.php
a. He was the only statesman who attended every meeting of the Constitutional
Congress.
b. He wrote down every idea presented by representatives of the 13 states.
c. He wanted a strong national government.
5. Read aloud The U.S. Constitution by Norman Pearl.
(check to see if classroom does an activity like this before doing it in the library )
After reading pages 16-17, show students the 3-legged stool and explain how it represents the U.S.
government. Take one leg off and let the stool fall. Explain that this is what happens when one
branch does not do its part to keep our country working together. Each branch is just as important
as the others.
Reflection
6. At the end of the story, review what students have heard by asking:
a. Who was James Madison?
b. Why was he an important person in American history?
c. Why is he called the Father of the Constitution?
d. Why is the constitution an important plan of government?
Library Speak
nonfiction, biography, online database
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