U.S. Constitution
STEAM Lesson Brief
State: CA
Date: October 30, 2015
Trent Tracy, Andrea Sleet, Janese Swanson
Theme that this lesson would tie to: Colonial Era/The Foundation of the American Republic
Specific Topic Content within the Theme: Significance, purpose, importance, and history of the
U.S. Constitution
Thank you for your work.
You worked in some really interesting activities tied to the overall theme that I enjoyed such as
the development of their own coin and denomination in math as well as many of your
extension activities like the wax museum.
Your plan needs a little more tying together mostly in the flow of your project and assessment
areas. Your descriptions of what the students are going to do in some areas were too vague for
me to get a full picture of what you intended. Once these are more robust, then the overall
Basic Plan and Essential Concept synopsis will be easier to correlate and tighten up. One thing
that should be addressed is the complete lack of recognition of the American native culture
during this time period. I have added suggestions as to how to meaningfully add that into this
lesson plan.
Currently, you have two separate social studies sections. Please see my notes and comments
within the sections to expand upon your ideas and then consolidate these two sections so that
they are all under one SS heading. It's perfectly okay to have multiple concepts/ideas within the
same SS section.
In general, the Project areas should be a paragraph describing to another educator what is done
in that educational subject, as it integrates into the theme. Your assessment should then look at
what component of the project relates to that particular subject and what tangible medium will
be used to determine whether the students have mastered the benchmarks you included.
There are a few sections that need some additional teasing such as pulling the science
components out into its own section and making technology & engineering a separate section
CC. 2013
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
where something unique is created. Also, you will want to be sure that you are assessing the
content specific standards in each subject.
I put in some questions for you. Orange comments need to be addressed, green are my
suggestions.
Thanks! I look forward to your revisions. -MS
(Reviewed by GY)
Project Idea + brief notes & supplies
BASIC CONCEPTS
Skill level (Grade Range): 5th
Summary of Essential Concepts
Students will research and participate
in activities from the Colonial Era to
develop a deep understanding,
meaning, and history of the U.S.
Constitution.
Your summary of essential concepts
should be a one to two sentence
synopsis of the entire lesson plan
which includes over-arching verbs that
tie to each subject.
Still need: S – T&E – MA – LA – FA –
PE – Mu
Science & Engineering:
Essential Concept(s)-Stars & the Solar System,
Sextants, Surveying, Exploring
Build a Sextant, determine your location based
upon the stars on the horizon. Our forefathers used
a sextant to survey land boundaries. It was also
used in exploration across the US ( Lewis and Clark)
or Cypher- Math & Engineering - Your essential
concepts will come from the topic groupings of the
science standards you include. (Stars & the Solar
System)
Goal/Objective-Students will construct and use a
simple sextant to measure angles between objects
and to compute your latitude at home by using the
North Star. By determining the angle between your
position on Earth and the North Star – Polaris – you
Coordinating Basic Plan
This is a good start, in general - try to limit can determine your latitude or position on Earth.
the summary of each subject to just 1 or 2 Standards-EngineeringPlease include grade level
science standards here.
sentence. Please also adjust your basic
plan in accordance with my comments and Careers-Aviator, Seaman, Coast Guard Explorer,
suggestions throughout the individual
Surveyor(T&E),astrophysicist, meteorologist
subjects and be sure to include the science Project Element-Build a Sextant that can be used to
component here as well.
determine location. The building of the sextant is
Students will begin their unit by using
T&E. In science, you will want to use grade level
their prior knowledge of the
science standards to guide your project element. As
Revolutionary War and changes that
a precursor to building the sextants in T&E, you may
occurred to realize the need and
want to focus on seasons, day/night, appearance of
importance for a stronger national
stars, etc.
CC. 2013
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
government. Students will work in
small groups to brainstorm ideas of
their own classroom constitution that
would create a stronger classroom
environment. (SS)
Assessment-Final sextant project and application
Please elaborate once you have narrowed down
your project element. Your assessment should
utilize a tangible from the project element. Then,
describe what specifically you will assess to
determine whether students have mastered the
science standards you include and how you will
group these intro rubric categories.
Extension-Science and solar night. Use the sextant
to locate stars and planets. Expand on any ideas you
have here in your project element to tie in the solar
system and other science concepts.
Students will work in teams of 5 to
create a classroom constitution. They
will work together to write the
constitution then type the constitution
onto a layout design using Pages or
Microsoft Word(LA).
Students will research and work
together on presentations that will
honor the signers of the U.S.
Constitution. (how?) They will write
and present autobiographical
information on one of the 39 members
who signed the U.S. Constitution (SS).
(students can take on persona for
acting out a live debate – &/or
participating extraneous people like
the wives and other influencers)
Technology& Engineering
Concept-Create a Class History Channel Movie
Goal/Objective-To create a movie demonstrating
student understanding of the signers of the US
Constitution. (this is a SS project using IT to
manifest the outcome, this is not a valid T&E
project)
Standards-Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
include multimedia components (e.g., graphics,
sound) and visual displays in presentations when
appropriate to enhance the development of main
ideas or themes. Please include where this standard
Students will write a journal entry from came from and also an ITEEA standard.
the point of view of one of the
Careers-Movie Producer, Script Writer, surveyor,
Founding Fathers to justify the reasons cartographer, Nautical or Aviator Navigator
for the US Constitution.
Project Element-Autobiography: Students prepare a
presentation based on research of the life of the
Students will use information gathered people who signed the US Constitution. They
from the life of a signer to create a
dramatize or re-enact a portion of the journal and
History Channel (style?)autobiography film the signers life in a class movie. Use the art
film that depicts their character and
activity below of the abstract flag along with adding
life at the time of signing the
an image of their “signer” as a start for their
constitution.– why recreate what has
autobiography page. Your project element here is
been done well? Think of something
all IT (information tech), not T&E. You could include
innovative to do like have them create the creation of the sextants here for T. For E, you
a game, app or play, downloadable
could give students an opportunity to test their
infographics with hyperlinks, etc to
sextants and redesign as necessary. What ideas do
help other students remember
they have for improvement?
You could also include the making of a tangible coin
There needs to be a deeper study here as T&E.
CC. 2013
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
and a recognition of what this did to
tribal rights in the American Colonies
and the transition from the barter
economy of this country to that of one
to create a formal currency and the
currencies of explorers that were
traded between the native tribes for
goods as America became established
throughout the events leading up to,
including and the results of the
revolutionary war.
Assessment-Students visual presentations. Students
present the main idea of a Signer of the
Constitution and key details to support. Were
students able to create a functional sextant? Were
students able to describe how their sextant could
be improved?
Extension-Students prepare PowerPoint or Keynote
presentation based on the research.
Math
Essential Concept(s)-A U.S. Money System; Place
Students will discover the need for a
Value
national coinage system and
Goal/Objective-Students will discover the
establishment of the National Mint.
Constitution gave Congress exclusive power to coin
Students will discover the connection
money and in 1792, Congress passed it first coinage
of the currency system to our base ten act, establishing a National Mint in Philadelphia and
number system. Students will design a outlined a coin system. The decimal system was
New United States coin based on the
adopted. Please include this description in your
history of our nation. (T&E&A)
project element. Your goal is for students to
Students will could determine a new
understand the place value system by creating a
denomination for the coin and its
new coin of a chosen denomination.
purpose in our coinage system (M).
Standards-Understand the place value system.
5.NBT. Recognize that in a multi-digit number, a
Students will explore handwriting
digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it
techniques and perspective to create a represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what
personal signature. Each student then
it represents in the place to its left.
signs the constitution using a fine tip
Careers-Banker, Accountant
sharpie marker, crayon or oil pastel.
Project Element-Create and design a new United
Using watercolor or tempra paint
States coin based on our country’s history.
students add abstract stars and stripes Determine a new denomination for the coin and
representing the 13 colonies (FA).
support with reasons. Students will write in
denomination value in decimal form. Students will
Students will identify with the physical create a chart showing the monetary value of
demands of colonial times through
varying increments in the number of their created
exercise, routines, and cooperation.
coin (1 coin, 2 coins, 5 coins, 10 coins, etc).
Students will participate in military
Assessment-Student’s coin representation and
based calisthenics, and create a
connection to our base ten math system. Were
rhythmic march to drums. Students will students able to express the denomination of their
participate in a variety of team building coin in decimal form? Were students able to
stations that focus on trust,
provide justification for the denomination they
cooperation, and courage PE).
chose?
Extension-Colonial Vacation Planner; Coin
CC. 2013
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
As a class, students will sing “America
the Beautiful” and “The Star Spangled
Banner”. Students will record
themselves singing the songs, analyze
the lyrics, and explain the meaning of
the songs and how they tie together
with our history and our nation (Mu).
Collection Please expand on your ideas for these
and the mathematical concepts involved.
Language Arts
Concept-Create a classroom constitution
Goal/Objective- Students will work in teams to
collaborate on learning
Students will construct and use a
Standardssimple sextant (a sextant measures the Comprehension and Collaboration
angle between whatever you are
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative
looking at relative to the place you are discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teachertaking the measurement. It can be
led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and
used to determine the height of
texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their
objects in the distance, e.g., mountains own clearly. Where did this standard come from?
or hills).Students may use their sextant Careers-Lawyer, Politician
to measure angles between objects
Project Element-Students will work in teams of 5 to
and to compute their latitude at home create a classroom constitution. They will work
by using the North Star. Simple
together to write the constitution. They then type
measurements at school maybe taken the constitution onto a layout design using Pages or
such as the height of a tree, or school
Microsoft Word. What research and planning will
building (T&E).
students do to be prepared to write their own
constitution? What are the specific parameters of
Skill Level: 5th grade
the assignment - what are they required to include?
Assessment-observation of students working
Timing of Lesson:
collaboratively; clear and cohesive presentation of
3-4 Weeks of daily 30-45 minute
the ideas in writing and orally Was the constitution
lessons in the classroom to cover Social representative of the ideas expressed by each of
Studies, Math, and Language Arts
the group members?
3, 45 minute PE Lessons
Extension-Not all of the amendments James
3, 45 minute Art Lessons
Madison proposed made it into the final Bill of
3, 45 minute Music Lessons
Rights. Students formulate an opinion about any
3, 45 minute Technology Lessons
missing amendments that they would have
3, 45 minute Science/Engineering
included.
Lessons
After studying the amendments to the Constitution,
students propose a new amendment and support
with reasons. Great! This is SS- please move into the
Basic Supplies:
SS section as an extension.
ART Supplies:
● large white construction paper,
Social Studies
● tempra paint (red, white and
Please consolidate this section with the second SS
blue)
section you have below.
● colored pencils
Essential Concept(s)-Describe the people and
CC. 2013
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
● oil pastels
● markers
● pencils
Sextant Supplies:
● Scissors;
● Protractor;
● a 4”x 6” note card (w/ lines);
● a straw (at least 6” w/o bend);
● tape;
● a jumbo paper clip;
● and pen or pencil.
General classroom supplies.
Technology (internet) and print access.
Large poster of the Bill of Rights
Print Copy of the US Constitution
Other Resources
Misc:
The History of Fitness
http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article
%20folder/history.html
events associated with the development of the U.S
Constitution. Analyze the Constitution’s significance
as the foundation of the American Republic
Goal/Objective- Students will be able to determine
the cause and effects of the development of the
United States Constitution. Students will be able to
analyze the importance of the Constitution as the
foundation of the American Republic.
Standards- California Standard 5.7
Students describe the people and events associated
with the development of the U.S. Constitution and
analyze the Constitution’s significance as the
foundation of the American republic.
Careers-Social Studies Teacher, Journalist
Project Element -Write a journal entry from the
point of view of one of the Founding Fathers to
justify the reasons for the US Constitution– too
vague
Assessment-Content of the Journal Entry– too
vague
Extension- Compare one of the Founding Fathers to
one of our current political leaders.
Social Studies
Essential Concept(s)-Autobiography of Signers
Goal/Objective-Write and present autobiographical
List of Founding Fathers:John Adams,
information on each of the 39 members who signed
Benjamin Franklin, Alexander
the U.S. Constitution
Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, Standards-Write informative/explanatory texts to
James Madison, and George
examine a topic and convey ideas and information
Washington
clearly.
Report on a topic or text or present an opinion,
http://constitutioncenter.org/learn/ed sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate
ucational-resources/founding-fathers
facts and relevant, descriptive details to support
main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an
Thomas Jefferson
understandable pace. Where did you find this
http://www.monticello.org/site/jeffers standard? Is this SS or LA?
on/thomas-jefferson-brief-biography
Careers-Social Studies Teacher, Journalist,
Legislator, Policy Writer
Math:
Project-Students research and work together on
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/ presentations that will honor the signers of the U.S.
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/
Constitution. Review the website: Constitution
Center Your concept and goals are about the
CC. 2013
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
Coin Collecting:
http://coins.ha.com/itm/colonials/178
7-dbln-brasher-new-york-styledoubloon-eb-punch-on-breast-xf45ngc/a/360-30017.s
Science, Technology & Engineering:
How to build a sextant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h
OLjEj8OxJM
Sextant used for land maps
https://www.monticello.org/site/hous
e-and-gardens/madison-map-virginia1807
Pinterest:
How to Build a sextant
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/54676
582950573169/
Astrolobe (SEXTANT):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x
YRpNOIKRzY
http://geoffrey-kolbe.com/CNav/terms.htm
http://www.learn4yourlife.com/skychart-and-sextant.html
http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com
/aquariumkemah/pdf/Math_Science.p
df
http://www.teachnology.com/lessons/lsn_pln_view_less
ons.php?action=view&cat_id=10&lsn_i
d=22678
http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/sunt
ime/sxtnt_stud.pdf
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/12771
CC. 2013
students writing an autobiography. What is the
premise of the presentations? Also, writing an
autobiography is LA. Consider allowing each student
to choose a signer of the constitution to research.
Then, have students write an amendment that
signer would have wanted in their class constitution
and hold a class debate. Following the debate, allow
the students to vote on the top 3 amendments they
would want in the class constitution. Require the
students to include the top 3 amendments in the
constitution they develop during LA.
Assessment-Expository Essay about the life of one
of Constitution Signers You assessment should
utilize a tangible already produced during the
project element. Assessing an essay in LA. From the
project element, what will you assess to determine
whether students have mastered grade level SS
benchmarks?
Extension-Design and implement a “Wax Museum
of the historical figures that signed the Constitution.
Nice idea! I would suggest moving this down to art
as the creation of the wax figures would be more
sculptural than SS.
Fine Arts& Graphic Design:
Essential Concept(s)-Collaborative using pattern,
symbolism, logo design, and layout into a
representational flag.
Goal/Objective-Create an abstract US flag
representing the students' classroom constitution.
excellent!
CA Standards5.0 CONNECTIONS, RELATIONSHIPS, APPLICATIONS
Connecting and Applying What Is Learned in the
Visual Arts to Other Art Forms and Subject Areas
and to Careers Visual Literacy
5.2 Identify and design icons, logos, and other
graphic devices as symbols for ideas and
information.
Careers-Art, Marketing, Business, graphic design,
logo design
Project Element- Students first explore handwriting
techniques and perspective to create a personal
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
9339409203703/
signature. Each student then signs the constitution
using a fine tip sharpie marker, crayon or oil pastel.
Music:
Using watercolor or tempra paint students add
Military Band
abstract stars and stripes representing the 13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M colonies. Review the work of artist Jasper Johns,
Peter Max and ...Please finish your thoughts here.
5bcpjUjLpU
Brief Historical Perspective of the Wind Are students able to use their own creativity to
design their constitution?
Band
Graphic Design: Students can create an abstract US
flag using ideas they treasure from the US
Art:
Constitution. Select fonts to use in a layered
http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/ background. Create an abstract flag from a graphic
software program or online using Brushter from the
education/kids.html
National Gallery of Art. Integrate the art with the
text in an abstract piece. Students can take their
Photos:
photo and place it on top of the flag art and use it
Please include a reference link to
for their cover of their research or Journal entry.
where you found this image.
Assessment-Please include what tangible from the
project element you will be assessing and what
rubric categories you will use in determining
whether students have mastered the art standards.
Extension-Each student can create their own flag
representing themselves. good!
Physical Education
Concept-Physical Activity, Rhythm, Cooperation
Goal/Objective-Students will identify with the
physical demands of colonial times through
exercise, routines, and cooperation.
Standards-California Physical Education
Standards1.18 Design and perform a creative dance
combining locomotor patterns with intentional
changes in speed and direction. 5.3 Explain the
difference between acts of physical courage and
physically reckless acts.
Careers-Military, Police Officer, Firefighter
Project Element-Students will participate in military
based calisthenics, and create a rhythmic march to
drums. Students will participate in a variety of team
building stations that focus on trust, cooperation,
and courage. This is a good start. Please elaborate
more on the specific activities you have in mind so
CC. 2013
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
that another educator may be able to implement
these in their own classroom.
Assessment-Students will follow a rubric that
outlines expectations for the marching activity.
Students will also explain in partner talk the type of
courage they had to endure when participating in
each station.
Extension- Each student will provide a calisthenics
routine that may be used during the Colonial Era.
Music
Essential Concept(s)-Sing “America the Beautiful,”
“The Star Spangled Banner”
Goal/Objective-Students will be able to explain the
meaning of the songs and how they tie together
with our history and our nation
Standards-5th Grade Social Studies
5.7 6. Know the songs that express American ideas
Please include a 5th grade music standard here.
Careers-musician, band conductor
Project-Recording of the students singing the songs
Your project element should formally include the
music standards that you include here. Please
elaborate upon finding those standards and what
musical concepts the students will focus on through
these songs.
Assessment-Written response to explain the
connections of the songs to our history and our
country Please adjust your assessment as necessary
in developing your project element to explain what
you will assess from the project element to
determine whether students have mastered the
music benchmarks.
Extension-Students write and create their own
patriotic song.
Native American patriotic songs and translations
CC. 2013
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief