Warmup: Please describe this image, list as many observations about it as you can in your notebook.

The Constitutional Convention Weak Articles of Confederation (1st US government structure) problems that resulted (no ability to tax, no strength to the central government...) Congress decided that they needed to meet to change things and revise the Articles of Confederation in May 1787, Philadelphia- proceedings were secret!

The Constitutional Convention Who was there- George Washington and 54 other delegates, generally wealthy, well-educated, white men Although they were only supposed to revise the Articles, some delegates thought they needed to be replaced by a completely new plan of government We will be learning about what actually happened at this Convention after we hold our own….

Rethinking the US Constitutional Convention This research, group work, negotiation, debate, and discussion on the constitution will take place in the next two weeks of class, and is a project grade- in place of an unit test for the revolutionary war unit.

The Essential Questions We Will Be Investigating Who benefited the most and least from the American Revolution? Who wrote and ratified the US Constitution for the new nation? Who was not involved? Who benefited the most and least from the Constitution’s creation?

Rethinking the Constitutional Convention You will be broken up into 7 different social groups, and asked to research and understand your role and positions on 2 key issues as part of the Constitution: Slavery and Suffrage Once you have solidified your role and positions, you will negotiate among yourselves (much like the peace treaty activity), to try and get others to support your position. At the end of this, we will be holding a debate and final vote during a ‘Constitutional Convention’ of our own!

2 Key Issues Slavery: Should slavery and the slave trade be abolished, and should escaped slaves be returned to their owners? Suffrage: Who should be allowed to vote in our new nation, especially what role should gender, race, and property ownership play in such a decision?

Why are we doing this: Objectives To understand the different social forces shaping America before, during, and after the Revolution To explore 2 of the most controversial issues that confronted the new nation, slavery and suffrage. To develop strong oral presentation skills, including both persuasive and argumentative skills. To develop critical skills of examining arguments and social realities.

The 7 Groups (you will be put into a group) White workers/indentured servants Enslaved African Americans Free African Americans White women Male Southern Plantation Owners Northern Merchants and Bankers Native Americans: The Iroquois Nation

Process Tomorrow-groups assigned, handouts with position descriptions and questions given out- work time to answer questions in group and understand role -Alliance building session at end of class to talk to other groups -Homework: do outside research on role at home, take notes Wednesday- Questions due, speech writing work time- each person has to write 1 speech outlining their position on the issue of slavery, and one speech on the issue of suffrage. -After work time, another alliance building session -Homework: finish speeches and have final drafts, reading assignment to be put on website

Process Next Monday and Tuesday: Reconvene with groups, have final drafts of speeches ready, and begin our Constitutional Convention! Debate until we hold our final vote at the end of class on Tuesday. Next Wednesday: Draw up final agreement to display in class. Answer reflection questions about the role play. Homework: Reflective Journal Assignment and reading on website: What really happened at the Constitutional Convention?

Grading (Total of 65 points) Position Questions: 5 points Outside Research notes on your position: 5 points Final Drafts of your speeches on slavery and suffrage: 20 points (10 points each) Participation and Behavior during work time and the convention: 30 points-15 for work time, 15 for convention (using the rubric) Reflection Questions at end: 5 points