Chapter 5 Project: Electronic Storybook

Electronic Storybook

The Constitution and Bill of Rights

Introduction

After the American Revolution in 1789, the United States adopted the Articles of Confederation as their government. The new republic nation was unable to function and carry on its duties. The inability to tax, difficulties passing laws and making amendments, and the absence of an executive and judicial branches  put enormous restraints on the national government.  Daniel Shay’s Rebellion led national leaders to reevaluate the government and fix the broken system.

In 1787 a Constitutional  Convention was held to revise the Articles of Confederation.  The delegates decided to scrape the old government and create a new Constitution. Challenges in writing a new government were demanding to say the least. The structural framework for a new government was complex and had to be addressed.  Determining representation and slavery were obstacles in the convention. 

Eventually a Constitution was created and needed ratification by the States. Opponents of the new documents deplored the powers granted to the national government and demanded a Bill of Rights, ten amendments in the Constitution protecting individual and states’ rights. The creation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, which for over 200 years have lasted and endured through the complex issues of the 21^st century, is a story worth telling.

Project

Your task will be to create an electronic story book of the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. You should focus on telling the creation of both or why it’s important to our lives. Your audience may be elementary, middle school, or  high school students. The language and complexity of ideas will vary depending on grade level you choose. The writing style can be a narrative, expository, historical fiction or non-fiction. You will be required to use Microsoft PowerPoint to make the story into a digital format. You drawings and illustrations can be imported to the computer with a scanner and the audio via a microphone. Requirements and Steps are listed below:

Requirements:

• Minimum of 15 slides or more
• Content: Historical Evidence should be integrated such as names,  places and concepts
• Language: Rich and appropriate English language are used
• Creativity: Story has a rich plot and focuses on the topic
• Presentation: Layout, Design, and illustration should be impeccable
• Audio: Recorded Audio needs to be  clearly spoken

 

Steps:

• Brainstorm your topic and gather general information  
• Develop a story with characters, place, and plot
• Make a storyboard to determine what’s in each page in your book
• Write dialogue and draw illustrations for your story
• Design and create a PowerPoint layout for your story content
• Begin importing illustration and audio into PowerPoint slides
• Don’t worry, I’m here to help you in the last two slides

Rubric:

Multimedia Project : Constitution or Bill of Rights Teacher Name: V Raghunandan Student Name:     ________________________________________

 

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Content	Covers topic in-depth with details and examples. Subject knowledge is excellent.	Includes essential knowledge about the topic. Subject knowledge appears to be good.	Includes essential information about the topic but there are 1-2 factual errors.	Content is minimal OR there are several factual errors.
Requirements	All requirements are met and exceeded.	All requirements are met.	One requirement was not completely met.	More than one requirement was not completely met.
Attractiveness	Makes excellent use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance the presentation.	Makes good use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance to presentation.	Makes use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. but occasionally these detract from the presentation content.	Use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. but these often distract from the presentaion content.
Oral Presentation	Interesting, well-rehearsed with smooth delivery that holds audience attention.	Relatively interesting, rehearsed with a fairly smooth delivery that usually holds audience attention.	Delivery not smooth, but able to hold audience attention most of the time.	Delivery not smooth and audience attention lost.

(CW 6.2) Domestic and Foreign Problems

If you were absent, make sure to complete the graphic organizer attached: CW 6.2 Graphic Organizer on Domestic and Foreign Affairs

(CW 6.1) Hamilton and Jefferson Essay

In class we discussed the differences between the Democratic-Republicans and Federalists. Moreover, there was an in-depth discussion of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson.

Classwork:

Regular US History Class

Write a five paragraph essay on the following:

How did Jefferson and Hamilton’s view on the role of government, the construction of a national bank, paying of debts, and shaping of the economy differ?

Due on December, Friday 17, 2010

US History Honors

Argumentative Essay

Hamilton and Jefferson views on the role of government and handling the issues  of the new nation differed. Make an argument for either Jefferson or Hamilton’s envisioned society. You must use historical quotes and at least three sources associated with citation.

2 page essay, 12 font size, double-space

Bi-Weekly Chapter 5 Assessment Review

Wow…We have completed chapter 5 and are ready to take the chapter 5 assessment this Friday. If you have been successfully doing your homework, classwork, and quiz, you should have no problems in passing this test.

Test Format:

1. 12 Mulitiple Choice Questions
2. 2 short Answer Questions (Complete sentences required)
3. 1 Essay

What Should I Review?

Key Vocabulary:

Study and Review these words for the Test

Articles of Confederation, Unicameral, Unicameral, Legislative, Executive, Judicial, Constiution, Shay’s Rebellion, Checks and Balance, Separation of Powers, Jersey and Virginia Plan, Federalism, Senate, House of Representative, Third-fifths compromise, Great Compromise, Anti-federalist

Review Questions:

1.  What is the Articles of Confederation? What type of government was created under this system? How many votes did each state receive regardless of its size? Identify the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

2.  What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention? Were the delegates supposed to create a new constitution or revise the Articles of Confederation? If yes or no, why?

3.  What is federalism? How does sharing power between the state and federal government prevent tyranny or one branch dominating the other?

4.      Define is a unicameral and bicameral legislature? What conflict were the Virginia and         New Jersey Plan suppose to resolve? How did both plans differ? Which plan would     create a strong president that could possibly become a king? How did the Great     Compromise resolve the conflict and integrate both plans?

5.  What is the three-fifths compromise? How did it settle the issue of counting slaves as population for political representation? Besides the compromise, why was the fugitive slave act apart of the three-fifths compromise?

6.  What is ratification? How many states were needed to ratify the Constitution? What two opposing groups developed as result of the ratification debate? Why did the anti-federalists reject ratifying the Constitution? Who had too much power under the new government? What was proposed by the Anti-federalist before they would ratify the constitution?

7.  What is Checks and Balance? Why was this system created? How does each branch check one another? Which branch nominates federal judges? Which branch confirms federal judges?

Short Answer Questions:

Each short answer question must be supported and written in complete sentences.

1. Choose an amendment from the Bill of Rights and explain, with an example, the rights that are protected by that amendment.
2. In the 1770’s and 1780’s, which groups of people could vote in the United States and which groups of people could not?  How did this vary in certain states?
3. Should the national legislature have equal representation, population-based representation, or a mix? Briefly explain each principal, and then argue that one is the best choice for the government of the United States.

Essay:

Respond to the following prompt with a well-organized essay that uses sufficient historical evidence.

1. Compare and contrast the provisions of the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of 1787.  In what way was the new Constitution designed to address weaknesses in the Articles?

2.  Discuss the basic principles of each amendment in the Bill of Rights. How does the Bill of Rights protect indvidual rights? Why do the words unreasonable and probable cause allow loose interpretation of the amendments. Use examples to support your response.

(CW 5.5) Understanding the Constutition

Understanding the Constitution

Today’s Assignment is to analyze the US Constitution and answer the questions below:

• What are the main topics of each of the seven Articles of the Constitution?
• What branches of government are created by the Constitution?
• Provide some examples of how each branch has power over another branch.
• How can Congress remove the President from office?
• List some of the powers that belong to the federal government only.
• What is the longest time a President elected today can stay in office?
• How long to members of the House of Representatives serve? Senators?
• How old do you have to be to be a Representative? A Senator? A federal judge?
• How nominates the judges for the supreme court? How confirms the nominations of the federal judge?
• How old do you have to be to be President? Vice President?
• Explain “habeas corpus.”
• Explain what an ex post facto law is.
• Explain “bill of attainder.”
• How many states had to ratify the Constitution to put it into effect?
• How many states have to ratify an amendment to make it part of the Constitution?

(Chapter 5 Project) Bill of Rights Public Service Announcement (Except US History 1 Honors)

Yesterday in class we took a quiz on the Bill of Rights. In addition, we discussed our upcoming project for the cycle.

Bill of Rights Public Service Announcement:

What is a Public Service Announcement?

Most announcements lasts only for a few seconds and sends a message of safety and concern to the public. You will be making a Public Announcement on a specific Bill of Rights amendment. Follow the steps below to complete this project:

1.Select one amendment from 1-8 to make your public announcement

2. Your announcement should express the amendment. Be creative in your message and try to use a slogan or rime.

3. Make an illustrate to convey the amendment. Use symbols and images to add substance to your depiction of the amendment.

4. Format:

• Must include as the title: Amendment # ___
• Paraphrase Public Service Announcement (Minimum of five sentences required)
• Illustration on Separate Piece of Paper; Should be attached to the public service announcement (note: You may use a mixture of images from the Internet and create your own as well)

Technology:

It’s strongly encouraged to use a word processing program to make your project. Microsoft word and Microsoft presentation are excellent softwares to use.

(Quiz 5.3) Bill of Rights Quiz

Today in class we concluded our discussion of the Bill of Rights. After the discussion, there were two interactive video games on the Bill of Rights. Students played the game to review for the quiz tomorrow. Make sure you play both of the games below:

Game #1 : Fixing the Document

Game #2: Matching the Bill of Rights

Be sure to review the first 10 amendments which are known as the Bill of Rights. You will be given different scenarios of these rights being executed and violated. You must then identify each amendment for each scenario.

(CW 5.4) Understanding the Bill of Rights

Today in class we discussed the ratification of the Constitution. In 1787 the delegates were ready to submit the Constitution to the states for ratification or official approval. Futhermore, we examined the opposing sides on ratifying the Constitution.

The federalists agrued for ratifcation, emphasizing a stronger central government would benefit the new republic. In contrast, the anti-federalists opposed ratifcation. By weakening state governments and proposing a stronger central government, it would weaken the rights of people and cause tyranny. The antifederalists argued for the Bill of Rights to be added to the Constitution to protect indvidual rights.

Classwork:

Paraphrasing the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments

Directions:

Go to pg. 179, in the United States History textbook, you will find the Bill of Rights

1. Read each amendment and paraphrase (put it in your own words) 1-8 only.

2. Write an example for each amendment that demonstrates its application.

3. Make sure to use at least 3-4 sentences when parphrasing amendments #1-8.

 

(Quiz 5.2) Constitutional Convention

Tomorrow we will have our second quiz for this cycle. You should have read section 2, did the homework and take notes in class. If your absent, you will still be responsible for taking the quiz. The quiz format will be 10 multiple choice questions and 1 essay.

Quick Review:

Study the following terms, names, and concepts.

Constitutional Convention, Founders of Convention, James Madison, William Patterson, Bicameral, Unicameral, legislature, Jersey and Virgina Plan, Great Compromise, Three-fifths compromise, fugitive slave act, federalism,

Essay:

What were the causes and events that led to a Constitutional Convention of 1787? Identify each conflict in the convention and discuss the compromises that were reached. Be sure to include the following:

Virginia Plan, Jersey Plan, Great Compromise, three-fifths compromise, federalism

(HW 5.3) CheckPoint Questions and Terms and Names

Read Chapter 5, Section 3. Answer the Checkpoint questions and define terms and names. Honors must do the critical thinking questions.