8th Grade U.S. History Lesson Plans
Grade Level:
8th
Week:
11/03/14 ~ 11/07/14
Major Topics: Seven Principles of Gov’t; Constitutional Convention; Founding Fathers;
Compromises; Arguments For and Against Ratification--Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists;
Articles of the Constitutions; Influences on and Impact of the Constitution; Preamble
Monday 11/03
Focus:
Tuesday 11/04
Compromises of the
Constitutional
Convention
 Constitutional Convention—
who, what, when, where
nd
TEKS:
8.1C— Explain the significance of the
following dates: 1787, writing of the
U.S. Constitution.
8.21C— Summarize a historical event in
which compromise resulted in a
peaceful resolution.
8.4D— Analyze the issues of the
Constitutional Convention of 1787,
including the Great Compromise and
the Three-Fifths Compromise.
Materials,
Resources:
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Classroom
Activity:
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Homework
Assignments
8.1C— Explain the
significance of the following
dates: 1787, writing of the U.S.
Constitution.
8.21C— Summarize a historical
event in which compromise
resulted in a peaceful
resolution.
8.4D— Analyze the issues of
the Constitutional Convention
of 1787, including the Great
Compromise and the ThreeFifths Compromise.
 Arguments For and Against
Ratification
 Federalists vs. Antifederalists
8.4E— Analyze the arguments
for and against ratification.
8.17A— Analyze the arguments
of the Federalists and AntiFederalists, including those of
Alexander Hamilton, Patrick
Henry, James Madison, and
George Mason.
 Electoral College video:

Great Compromise:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqy
Yw1I0UHw&list=TL5iaztdICrxEFG23R
oyBZkcqHDsP_dZm8
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=OUS9mM8Xbbw
 CREATING A
CONSTITUTION:

http://sunnylandsclassroom.or
g/Asset.aspx?id=12 (22:50
minutes)
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Continue with Compromises….
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1-20 Facts Quiz, Friday
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Arguments For and Against
Ratificiation
Federalists vs AntiFederalists Graphic
Organizer/AofC vs.
Constitution
“What is in the
Constitution?” sheet
Arguments For and Against
the Constitution
Federalists Papers primary
source
Articles of Confed. vs.
Constitution graphic
organizer (back of
Federalists vs. AntiFederalists sheet
review of entire
Constitutional Convention
and Founding Fathers—
normal, regular men, who
created a remarkable doc.,
never would have expected it
to still be around today
Great Compromise video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqyY
w1I0UHw&list=TL5iaztdICrxEFG23RoyBZk
cqHDsP_dZm8
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WARM-UP: Questions
using Jarrett, pp. 120-121
Finish discussing
Compromises, if nec.
Electoral College video:
https://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=OUS9mM8X
bbw
Watch “Creating a
Constitution” video—good
Buerk, Sparks, Payne, Pantalone
TEKS Addressed: 8.15D, 8.1C, 8.21C, 8.4D, *.4E, 8.17A, 8.15A, 8.15C, 8.25A, 8.25C, 8.21B
Wednesday 11/05
Constitution Convention NOTES
Articles of Confed Brainpop
Compromises Sheet
WARM-UP: set up CC Notes page
Constitution Convention NOTES:
Begin notes by reviewing: I. 2nd
Cont. Congress and II. Articles of
Confederation
Articles of Confederation
Brainpop…issues led to writing new
constitution
Finish Constitution Convention
Notes
Discuss/highlight Compromise Info
Sheet to Great Compromise, then…
Prepared By:
Friday 11/07
Thursday 11/06
 Parts of Constitution/ Articles
 Influences on & Impact of C.
 1-20 FACTS QUIZ;
 Balance of Power; Branches of
Government; Federalism
8.15A— Identify the influence of ideas from historic
documents, including the Magna Carta, the English Bill of
Rights, the Mayflower Compact, the Federalist Papers,
and selected Anti-Federalist writings, on the U.S. system
of government.
8.15C— Identify colonial grievances listed in the
Declaration of Independence and explain how those
grievances were addressed in the U.S. Constitution and
the Bill of Rights.
8.25A— Trace the development of religious freedom in
the United States.
8.25C— Analyze the impact of the First Amendment
guarantees of religious freedom on the American way of
life.
8.21B— Describe the importance of free speech and
press in a constitutional republic.
8.15D— Analyze how the U.S. Constitution
reflects the principles of limited government,
republicanism, checks and balances,
federalism, separation of powers, popular
sovereignty, and individual rights.
Notes—Constitution articles
 Constitution, Constitution! :
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCJ2of4kx5E
smart songs
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“Influences On & Impact of the Constitution /
What is in Our Constitution” sheet
Alexander Hamilton—Story Time with Mr.
Beat—to 2:45 (Federalist Party):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6f6rbUB
PZ8
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCB8EOY5d48
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Checks and Balances—Who Checks
Who??? assessment
Constitution” sheet)
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Constitution, Constitution! :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCJ2of4kx5E
smart songs
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WARM-UP “Balance of Power” sheet—
1-20 FACTS QUIZ
Discuss Balance of Power warm-up
Read/Discuss “Three Branches of Gov’t” section
and answer questions at bottom as class
Read “Checks and Balances” section.
Federalism: “The Federal System” at bottom of
page—draw line/arrow to opposing page
discussing “The Federal System: Division of
Powers Between Nat’l and State Govt” (back
page of Bill of Rights packet)
Who’s Got the Power?!?! Three Branches! 3:45:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCB8EOY5d48
w/PARTNER or alone:“Checks and Balances—
Who Checks Who?” check for understanding
sheet
 Go over homework
 NOTES of parts/articles of the
Constitution (back of “Art. of Confed/What is the
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“Influences on and Impact of U.S.
Constitution” notes/sheet
Go over Preamble on “What is in Our
Constitution”—Assign preamble recitation
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http://sunnylandsclassroo
m.org/Asset.aspx?id=12
(22:50 minutes)
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 “Articles of Confed./What is
1-20 Facts Quiz,
Friday

the Constitution” sheet
1-20 Facts Quiz, Friday
“Balance of Power” / “Three Branches of
Gov’t” / “Checks and Balances” sheet
Who’s Got the Power?!?! Three Branches!
3:45:
 “What is In Our Constitution” sheet
 Preamble recitation
 1-20 Facts Quiz, Friday
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Finish “Checks and Balances—Who Checks Who?”, if
necessary
Unit 3 and 4 Review
PREAMBLE recitation
FOUNDING FATHERS BRAINPOPS/VIDEOS:
JAMES MADISON—just to 3:15—stop at Bill of Rights @ 3:15—(before getting into Alien & Sedition Acts, War of 1812, etc—don’t want to overload their little brains!)
GEORGE WASHINGTON—just to 2:54—stop at @ 2:54—(GW presiding over Constitutional Convention or being 1st president but before getting into his presidency and all—again—no overload!)
Alexander Hamilton—Story Time with Mr. Beat—to 2:45 (Federalist Party): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6f6rbUBPZ8
Articles of Confederation—Lessons Learned--CFR:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lj2UpUVqzE
Articles of Confederation—History Channel—Fact or Fiction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KGG9afW7XY
Articles of Confederation—kid—girl—4 minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc3VxqzTtbI
Articles of Confederation—with Mr. Ball—2 min!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEHfXzZDImU
Articles of Confederation—to Black Eyed Peas song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54frRVRv1Mw
Articles of Confederation—5 minute summary—overview including Shay’s Rebellion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFIkxQdZMZ0
Articles of Confederation—1 minute summary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsasRqBW0_A
Shay’s Rebellion—Story Time with Mr. Beat—2 min: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaKgLHy2eBA
Electoral College video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUS9mM8Xbbw
CREATING A CONSTITUTION: http://sunnylandsclassroom.org/Asset.aspx?id=12 (20 minutes)
Constitutional Convention overview—2 min.-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-bmAqhMrX4&list=TL5iaztdICrxEFG23RoyBZkcqHDsP_dZm8
Constitutional Convention/Great Compromise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqyYw1I0UHw&list=TL5iaztdICrxEFG23RoyBZkcqHDsP_dZm8
Alexander Hamilton—Story Time with Mr. Beat—2 min:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6f6rbUBPZ8
Bill of Rights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlt6R1KD4E0
Bill of Rights hand game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYG_f-y8-VY
Hand signs in 30 seconds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evo5sgWIBTA
For website—Constitutional Convention for Dummies—Hughes-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL9uEt5dXEw
The Bill of Rights Song with lyrics--2:20: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efKy4J81PTg
BILL OF RIGHTS: rap—smart songs—3:30: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlt6R1KD4E0
Bill of Rights to Justin Bieber song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biTaR5XwanE (there is a mistake in it—can the kids catch it???)
Rights, Rights, Baby—only until 3:00—gets stupid after that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjvo6yrrA5A
Bill of Rights to Gangham Style—4:00: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4reFwa_ixXk
Seven Principles of Constitution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np_Tg69WZzY
Three Branches! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCB8EOY5d48 Who’s Got the Power?!?!?
Three Branches of Govt FLOCABULARY—3:00: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhMK4k_k5Ik
Constitution, Constitution! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCJ2of4kx5E smart songs
STAAR REVIEWs—
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYyttEu_NLU
End of Revolution, Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention, Compromises, etc.(10 minutes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbf23u6g1k8
Constitutional Convention, Articles, Founding Fathers, etc. (10 min): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-bmAqhMrX4