Constitution Project
US History
Directions: To summarize what we’ve learned about the US Constitution and to help us
celebrate Constitution Day, each student will choose one of the options below and complete a
project according to the instructions and rubrics.
Due Date: Wednesday, September 28 at the beginning of class
Option 1: The Federalist Papers were a series of essays written by a group of Federalists (most
notably Alexander Hamilton and James Madison) in support of the Constitution. Write your
own contribution to the Federalist Papers that addresses at least three of the following issues:
 Checks and balances
 Separation of powers among the three branches of government, including the power of
the executive
 Representation in the Legislative Branch
 The issue of slavery
 How the Bill of Rights serves as protector of individual and states' rights
Essays should be five paragraphs long and should include an introduction, conclusion, and one
body paragraph for each of the three issues chosen above. Essays should include quotations
directly from the Constitution that support your argument on each issue.
Rubric:
Introductory Paragraph
Thesis sentence 5 points
Introduction to each issue in paper 10 points
Constitutional Issue 1 15 points
Inclusion of quotes from the Constitution 5 points
Constitutional Issue 2 15 points
Inclusion of quotes from the Constitution 5 points
Constitutional Issue 3 15 points
Inclusion of quotes from the Constitution 5 points
Conclusion Paragraph
Conclusion sentence (restate your thesis) 5 points
Conclusion to each issue in paper (prove your
Thesis by restating the key points of
Your argument) 10 points
Grammar, Spelling, and Sentence Structure 10 points
TOTAL
100 points
Option 2: Create a Powerpoint, Prezi, or MovieMaker presentation explaining the Constitution
to a middle school student. You MAY NOT use something someone else created (YouTube,
etc.). Each of the following topics should be fully explained and illustrated using a minimum of
one slide per topic :
 What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?









What event caused some of the Founding Fathers to decide that the Articles weren't
working?
Who were the Federalists? Who were the Anti-Federalists?
What are the three branches of government? What is the duty of each branch?
What is the purpose of the checks and balances in the Constitution? Give at least three
examples.
What is the separation of powers in the Constitution?
What was the Great Compromise?
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
What were The Federalist Papers? Who were their main authors?
What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights? Briefly describe each of the first ten
Amendments to the Constitution. (This will likely require more than one slide.)
Rubric: Each item above is worth 9 points. Another 10 points will be earned for a well
presented Powerpoint or Prezi presentation and for proper grammar, spelling, and mechanics.
This option is worth 100 points total.
Option 3: Create a game to help another student review for a test on the Constitution. You may
choose any appropriate game format. Some ideas would include Jeopardy, Who Wants to be a
Millionaire, etc. Each game must include 20 questions and answers covering each of the
following topics:











What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
What event caused some of the Founding Fathers to decide that the Articles weren't
working?
Who were the Federalists? Who were the Anti-Federalists?
What are the three branches of government? What is the duty of each branch?
What is the purpose of the checks and balances in the Constitution? Give at least three
examples.
What is the separation of powers in the Constitution?
What was the Great Compromise?
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
What were The Federalist Papers? Who were their main authors?
What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
What is in the first ten Amendments to the Constitution
You must make a game using one of internet resources below or a similar site. You may not
hand write questions and answers on a sheet of paper.
Internet resources to create your game:
Jeopardy template:
http://www.elainefitzgerald.com/jeopardy.htm
Large collection of games:
http://people.uncw.edu/ertzbergerj/ppt_games.html
Rubric: Each of the 20 questions you write are worth 2 points. The answers to each question are
worth 2 points. You will receive 10 points for a correct game format. Another 10 points will be
given for proper grammar, spelling, and mechanics.
Option 4: Each year, Etowah students represent EHS in the Cherokee County Social Studies
Fair. The purpose of the Social Studies fair is to give students opportunities to expand their
knowledge in regards to a social sciences topic of their interest. Students will propose a
hypothesis and use standard research procedures to draw conclusions and to use as the basis of
their project.
Requirements:
 Students must complete the following on a topic of their choosing for the final
presentation of the social studies project:
Backboard with visual material/research
Summary research paper, 4-5 pages in length.
Works Cited page
Abstract (brief description of paper)
Deadlines:
September 9
topics due to your teacher
parent signature required
September 26
Hypothesis sheet due
October 4
Research check– must show evidence of individual research in the
form of notes, notecards, etc.
Annotated Bibliography of at least 5 sources used
October 10
outline of summary paper due
October 28
Final copy of summary paper and project board due
November 15
Cherokee County Social Studies Fair
The Social Studies Fair looks like it could be more work. Why should I choose to do the Social
Studies Fair instead of one of the other options in the Constitution Project?
 Students may work with up to 2 partners.
 Students may choose any topic within US History that most interests them.
 Students will have an extended timeline to complete their SS Fair projects.
 This assignment is worth 200 points – the other Constitution Projects are only worth 100
points. You may either take the extra 100 points as extra credit for first semester or you
may use those points to replace the Presidents Project we will do in February.
 Students will be offered help two days a week after school until the project due date.