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Day One:
Motivation
- As you are wearing your winter coat, pass out delegate
note cards as the students walk into the room, but
don’t tell them why.
- Once all of the students are seated, explain that
on these cards are the names of some of the delegates
(not all names will be passed out unless you have
a very large class) that attended the Constitutional
Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
- Give them a minute to read the cards with delegate names and states, and
allow them to trade names, either with the leftover cards or with other classmates.
** You still have not revealed why you are wearing a winter coat!
Activity
- Pass out the "Historical
Meet and Greet" worksheet #1. Read the directions
to the class.
- Pass out biographies from the "Delegates to
the Constitutional Convention" website (http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_founding_fathers.html).
Make sure that students receive the biography that
matches their note card.
- Give the class 10-15 minutes to read over their
biography and fill in the 8 required facts. You may
need to assign step #3 on the worksheet for
homework. Have portraits and art supplies out for the taking.
- Pass out "Historical Meet and
Greet" worksheet #2 and primary resource maps.
- Read over the directions for "Historical Meet and Greet" worksheet #2.
- Give students another 10-15 minutes to work on the map and picture activities.
- Finally, ask the students to dress very warmly
for the next class and to bring their coats. The goal
on the day of the "meet and greet" is for
the students to be aware of the incredible heat the
delegates had to endure. This will be evident
as the students are working (and most likely complaining)...
Day Two:
- Move the desks so that they are in sets of two facing
each other. You may need to make some sets of three
for odd-numbered classes.
- Have students pick a seat and put on their coats.
You can finally tell them why (if any get too hot,
please have them take off their layers)! They also
need to put on their headbands, necklaces, and signs.
- Distribute the "Historical Meet
and Greet" Worksheet #3 and read the instructions.
- Explain that each team will have 5 minutes to share
facts with each other.
- Have students switch places after about 5 minutes.
Continue with this until they have "met" enough of
the "delegates" to fill out their worksheets.
Independently, have each student fill out the summary
information.
- Conduct a class discussion on their responses. This is a great way to bring
closure and relevance to the activity.
Application Question: Without these
skillful and creative men shaping our nation’s
future, what do you think our government would look
like today?
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