Social Studies Lesson on the Preamble to the Constitution

GOAL: to support students of all learning abilities as they learn about the Preamble and complete a reflective assignment about it.

GRADE/COURSE: This lesson is geared for students from 6th-9th grade enrolled in a Civics or US History course

LEVEL: This lesson is geared for all students, whether they are performing at grade level or need supports, and whether they possess a learning disability or do not.

OUTCOME: Students will be asked to write, draw, or report to the class the ways in which the basic idea of “we the people” can be observed in everyday life and what it means to them

UDL: Principles are aligned throughout and included as footnoted references

Preamble to the Constitution

What does it say?Why is it important?

What do you need to know?

Looking ahead…

What will you need to do?

1. Reflect on the meaning of “we the people” as the opening of the preamble, and what you think about/envision as its meaning/purpose.

2. Organize your ideas using a graphic organizer or by reporting them to a work partner in an “interview” format.

3. Decide how you would like to share your ideas.a. Written response (paper, graphic organizer file, or email)b. Poster /collage of images c. Short oral presentation

****OUTCOME: Students will be asked to write, draw, or report to the class the ways in which the basic ideas in the Preamble can be observed in everyday life*****

(Guideline 1.1, 5.1, 5.2, 7.1, 9.1)

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

What does it say ?

Vocabulary terms are underlined !

(Guidelines 2.1, 2.2, 7.2)

What was that? Let’s do it again.

This is the constitutional ditty that gets hummed in every high school civics test

Want the lyrics?

(Guidelines 1.2, 1.3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, )

Well, I did write it, but

there are certainly

better ways to listen to it

than having someone just

read it!

Click on Jefferson for a “friendlier” version of the Preamble.

So now what?

1. Reflect on the meaning of “we the people” as the opening of the preamble, and what you think about/envision as its meaning/purpose.

2. Organize your ideas using a graphic organizer or by reporting them to a work partner in an “interview” format.

3. Decide how you would like to share your ideas.a. Written response (paper or email)b. Poster /collage of images c. Short oral presentation

• Continue on for help with meaning….

(Guidelines 1.1, 3.1, 7.1, 8.2)

What terms did you write down?

If you are not sure you got the right words, check to see how many were underlined.

If you haven’t already defined the terms, click here:

(Guidelines 2.1,3.3, 6.3)

If you want to hear why other people think it’s important…or you need a few ideas to get started on your writing….

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/12974-our-constitution-the-preamble-video.htm

Need more help? Continue on to the next slide….(Guidelines7.3, 9.1, 9.2, )

The Preamble : step by step…

Not sure what each sentence means? Follow this link to learn more….

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_pre.html

Continue to graphic organizer

(Guidelines 5.3, 9.2)

Ready?

Share your ideas with your classmates: show them your organizer completed online or on a print-out; share your ideas aloud; or explain the ideas you included on your poster. If you want to check your facts one more time before you present, try one of these resources:

Students will use this lesson in the in the computer lab or mobile PC station so that the LCD screen in the room provides the

main visual but they can navigate the slides on their own and access the

internet as needed for individual learning.

Carolyn Connolly UDL, SP ‘09