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The Georgia Constitution of 1777 - LP2
Matthew Graham
Constitutional Ratification _Graham
Students will analyze the Georgia Constitution of 1777 to identify its strengths and weaknesses. After they have listed the strengths and weaknesses, they will summarize the information. The students will use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation and the Georgia Constitution of 1777. Students will write an essay or create a skit to give evidence of their knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of Georgia Constitution of 1777, as well as the similarities and differences between it and the Articles of Confederation.
- Copy of the Georgia Constitution of 1787 can be accessed at: www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/con1777.htm
- Copy of the Articles of Confederation can be accessed at:
www.usconstitution.net/articles.html
- Handout - Graphic Organizer - Strength, Weaknesses, & Summary
- Handout - Graphic Organizer - Venn Diagram
- Student created rubric of strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (See bell assignment.)
- Writing Rubric
- Skit Presentation Rubric
Two 50 min. class period
2
What are the similarities and differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Georgia Constitution of 1777?
- Using their textbooks students should create and complete a graphic organizer with columns labeled strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. (See linked files.)
For brief background information on the Georgia Constitution of 1777, the teacher should visit the following website and read the short introductory paragraph about the Georgia Constitution of 1777 to the students:
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-588
- Group Work assignment #1 - Form groups and have students read the Georgia Constitution of 1777. As they are reading, students should compile a list of strengths and weaknesses utilizing the graphic organizer (attachment, Georgia Constitution of 1777 Strengths Weaknesses).
- Group Work assignment #2 - After completing the first assignment, students should utilize their graphic organizers (bell assignment, Strengths & Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation) and compare it to their graphic organizer from group assignment # 1. Students will compare/contrast the two documents using the Venn Diagram that is provided. Students will note their unique qualities, similarities, and differences. (NOTE: Each member of the group should fill out their own graphic organizer)
- Assessment - After completing the Venn Diagram, students should demonstrate their knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the Georgia Constitution of 1777 by choosing one of the following activities to complete:
- Essay. Write a 4 - 5 paragraph essay about the strength and weaknesses of the Georgia Constitution of 1777. Students will be given a rubric that will be used to evaluate their essay. They should use the rubric to ensure that all the necessary components of the essay are addressed. The essay will likely need to be finished for homework and turned in the next day.
- Skit. Students may form groups of 3 and "act out" a skit that illustrates a strength or weakness contained in the Georgia Constitution of 1777. The rest of the class will try to guess exactly what strength or weakness the group is attempting to portray. Students will be given a rubric that will be used to evaluate their skit. They should use the rubric to ensure that all the necessary components of the skit presentation are addressed.
Conduct a brief review that summarizes the similarities and differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Georgia Constitution of 1777.
Considering its strengths and weaknesses, ask students to jot down 3 items that they would have changed about the Georgia Constitution of 1777. Compile student responses on the board. Have students predict how long they think the Georgia Constitution of 1777 stayed in place. This should reinforce what was taught during the lesson, as well as provide a lead-in to the next revision of the Georgia Constitution. This revision in 1789 more closely aligned the Georgia Constitution with the new Constitution of the United States, which replaced the Articles of Confederation.)
For brief background information on the Georgia Constitution of 1777, visit the New Georgia Encyclopedia website at http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-588
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Writing Rubics_LP 1 Graham
Venn Diagram_Articles of Confederation_LP2 Graham
Skit Presentation Rubric_LP1_Graham
Georgia Constitution of 1777_Strengths Weaknesses_