1. Shh! We're Writing the Constitution
By: Jean Fritz

2. Importance of Rules When do we use rules?
Why do we need rules — at home, at school, in our community, in our country?
What would happen if we did not follow the rules — at home, at school, in our community, in our country?
Who enforces rules — at home, at school, in our community, in our country?

3. "What kinds of rules do we need in our classroom to maintain order and fairness?"

4. Activity 1
Choose 3 rules from the list and generate 3 Classroom Standards. Each standard should be stated in the positive. For example, if one of the rules is "Don't yell in the classroom," then a positively stated Classroom Standard would be: "We use our inside voices in the classroom."

5. Review Rules Created Will the posted Standards help us work together?
Will the Standards help each student do his/her best work?
Are the Standards stated in the positive?
Are the standards realistic?

6. Shh! We're Writing the Constitution
Why did the 13 states need a Constitution?
What problems might arise without rules to follow?
What is the Bill of Rights and what does it include?

7. Shh! We're Writing the Constitution
Read pages 7-13 and answer the questions in complete sentences. Discuss the answers.

8. Shh! We're Writing the Constitution
Read pages and answer the questions in complete sentences. Discuss the answers.

9. Shh! We're Writing the Constitution
Read pages and answer the questions in complete sentences. Discuss answers.

10. The Bill of Rights Examine the Bill of Rights: America’s Story.
Work in groups of two or three create a poster that will help explain their assigned amendment. On your poster illustrate and explain the amendment in your own words.

11. Shh! We're Writing the Constitution
Read pages and answer the questions in complete sentences. Discuss answers.