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History

Antitextbook

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1777-1800: Articles of Confederation, Constitution, Washington Administration

At AntiTextbook.org, we have curated the best active learning lesson plans for American History Teachers. We have sifted through the resources on amazing free sites like Digital Inquiry Group (formerly S.H.E.G.), Gilder Lehrman, and Facing History and Ourselves. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description.

Each box below contains a lesson. The icons under each image tell you if the lesson contains primary sources, secondary sources, research, group work, a writing assignment, videos, or games. The description tells you which free site the lesson comes from, what grade levels it is intended for, how much class time it will take, and how much reading is required. We've added a word or two about the remote-readiness of each lesson. Click the orange button at the bottom of each box for more information on the lesson.

Lessons on this page are about the Articles, Constitution, and Washington. We have divided the into 4 categories:

Articles of Confederation

Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to those people involved in the Articles of Confederation. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resource comes from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To see a longer explanation, click the box.

Secondary Source

Constitutional Creation

From: National Archives

Grade Level: (HS), (College)

Remote Ready: Yes!

Time: 1 Class Period or Less

Length of Reading: Chapter

Link: Constitution of the United States-A History

How about assigning this article to give your students a little background on the making of the Constitution before tackling any of these assignments.

Lesson: Role Play

The Constitutional Convention of 1787, Lesson 1

From: EDSITEment!

Grade Level: HS, (College)

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: Depends on which activity you choose

Length of Reading: Pages

Link: Lesson 1: The Road to the Constitutional Convention

This lesson focuses on the Articles of Confederation and its problems. All 3 activities within this lesson use primary sources. The second activity involves a short role-playing activity. And the third involves creating a timeline.

Lesson: Gallery Walk

Articles of Confederation

From: Gilder Lehrman

Grade Level: MS, HS, College

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: 1 Class Period

Length of Reading: Page

Link: Articles of Confederation

Seven student groups are each assigned a different section of the Articles of Confederation (see link for Articles and section recommendations). Each group summarizes their sections on large sheets of paper. These sheets are then hung around the room. Students do a gallery walk while filling-out a T-chart with the pros and cons of the Articles. The class then discusses what they found. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in.

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Constitution

Constitution

Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the Constitution. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box.

Lesson: Graphic Organizer

The Great Compromise

From: Gilder-Lehrman

Grade Level: MS, HS, College

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: 1 Class Period or Less

Length of Reading: Pages

Link: Analyzing the Great Compromise, 1787

Excerpts from the Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, and Articles of Confederation are presented (2-5 pages each, 11 total). Students answer the questions provided and fill out a graphic organizer. Students then design a compromise of their own, an advertisement, or a political cartoon. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in.

Lesson: Create an Outline of the Constitution

Constitution Scavenger Hunt

From: Teaching American History

Grade Level: MS, HS, (College)

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: 1-2 Class Periods

Length of Reading: Pages

Link: A Walking Tour of the Constitution

Day 1: In groups, students create an outline of the Constitution. Here's an example: "I. Article I: Everything about Congress." Day 2 (or as homework): Students complete a Constitution Scavenger hunt, using their outlines as a road map.

Lesson: Role Playing

The Constitutional Convention of 1787, Lesson 2

From: EDSITEment!

Grade Level: HS, (College)

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: Depends on which activity you choose, up to 5 short class periods

Length of Reading: Pages

Link: Lesson 2: The Question of Representation at the 1787 Convention

The Constitutional Convention is the focus of this lesson. All 3 activities within this lesson use primary sources. The second activity involves a short role-playing activity. And the third involves creating a timeline. Click the button below for more information. If you're looking for lesson 1 in the series (this is lesson 2), it's up under the Articles of Confederation heading; lesson 3 follows.

Lesson: Presidential Powers

The Constitutional Convention of 1787, Lesson 3

From: EDSITEment!

Grade Level: HS, (College)

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: Depends on which activity you choose, up to 5 short class periods

Length of Reading: Pages

Link: Lesson 3: Creating the Office of the Presidency

This lesson is all about the power of the president or presidents (that's right! Some founders argued for multiple presidents). All 3 activities within this lesson use primary sources. The first activity focuses on the number of presidents there should be. The second addresses how the president will be elected. The third looks at the length of the term of the president. And the fourth examines presidential powers. Click the button below for more information. If you're looking for lesson 1 in the series (this is lesson 3), it's up under the Articles of Confederation heading; lesson 2 precedes this one.

Slavery and the Constitution

Lesson: Debate/Role Play

Slavery in the Constitutional Structure

From: Gilder-Lehrman

Grade Level: MS, HS, College

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: 1-2 Class Periods

Length of Reading: Paragraphs

Link: Making a Covenant with Death: Slavery in the Constitutional Structure

Each group reads an assigned portion of the Constitution that deals with slavery. Students write the main ideas on a large sheet of paper. Hang these sheets of paper on the walls and have each group present on their overviews. Then debate, as the founders, which aforementioned portions to keep in or leave out of the Constitution. Finally Students create a written dialogue between a founder and a slave. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in.

Lesson: Graphic Organizer

Slavery in the Declaration and Constitutional Convention

From: Digital Inquiry Group

Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College)

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: Less than 1 Class Period

Length of Reading: Paragraphs

Link: Slavery in the Constitution

The list of grievances from the Declaration of Independence blames the King of Great Britain for slavery. Students read this primary source in groups and then answer questions about it. Students then read part of the debate from the Constitutional Convention as well as 3 historians interpretations of it (short). And they fill out a graphic organizer.

Lesson: Many Options

Slavery: American Revolution and Constitution

From: SPLC Learning for Justice

Grade Level: MS, HS, (College)

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: Depends Upon Lesson

Length of Reading: Pages

Link: Teaching Hard History Framework

After clicking on the link above, scroll to the "We the People" artwork and the "The American Revolution and the Constitution (1763-1787)" Heading. And then choose the Summary Objective that most interest you. Also see "Summary Objective 7" below the "Slavery in the Early Republic (1787-1808)" heading and brick flag artwork. You will be linked to a short list of wonderful online resources and their descriptions.

Bill of Rights, Federalists, & Anti-Federalists

Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the American colonies. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box.

Movie: YouTube

Bill of Rights

From: Parlay Universe and Bill of Rights Institute

Grade Level: MS, HS, College

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: 1 class period

Length of Reading: Paragraphs

Link: The Bill of Rights

Students watch a 4 min animated video on why the founders made the Bill of Rights. Students then read each amendment and amendment history from the Bill of Rights institute (BRI). Students answer questions then comment on the answers of 2 of their classmates

Lesson: Many Options

Federalists & Anti-Federalists (difficult)

From: EDSITEment!

Grade Level: HS, (College)

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: 1-2 class periods for each activity (x2 activities)

Length of Reading: Pages

Link: Lesson 1: Anti-federalist Arguments Against "A Complete Consolidation"

or Lesson 2: The Federalist Defense of Diversity and "Extending the Sphere," click on "Lesson Activities"

In lesson 1, Students view a 4 min video on Alexander Hamilton. Then they read primary source snippets from Anti-Federalist documents, fill in a work sheet and discuss. The first part of lesson 2 jigsaws excerpts from the Federalist Papers. The second part is an optional role-playing game involving voting on bills in Congress. For more details on both lessons and all activities, click the button below.

Game

Interactive Constitution Game

From: iCivics and National Endowment for the Humanities

Grade Level: MS, HS, College

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: 1 class period or Less

Length of Reading: Paragraphs

Link: Race to Ratify

Select which fictional person to interview and the line of questioning. Then read the answers regarding the ratification of the Constitution. Get idea tokens from interviewees and drag them to the Federalist or Anti-Federalist side of your tray. Apply those tokens to make arguments in pamphlets. You might have students create a written T-graph documenting the Federalist and Anti-Federalist arguments as they go; this way students will better remember what they've learned and will avoid clicking through the game without learning anything. The interviews get a bit tedious after several rounds of them. There are 2 playing modes, historical (which mirrors the actual ratification process) and free play. Check out the The Extension Pack for lecture slides and background materials.

Lesson: Graphic Organizer

Federalists & Anti-Federalists (Easy)

From: Digital Inquiry Group

Grade Level: (MS), (HS)

Remote Ready: With Modifications

Time: Less than 1 class period

Length of Reading: Paragraphs

Link: Federalists & Anti-Federalists

2 very short primary sources. Alexander Hamilton argues for the Federalist position. Melancton argues the Anti-Federalist position. Both docs combined fill barely a page. Students fill out a graphic organizer.

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Washington Administration

Washington Administration

Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the American colonies. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box.

Game

Be Washington: It's Your Turn to Lead Interactive Game

From: George Washington's Mount Vernon

Grade Level: MS, HS, (College)

Remote Ready: Yes!

Time: 3 scenarios, each takes about 20 min

Length of Reading: None

Link: Be Washington

Choose to be George Washington in 1 of 4 interactive scenarios: The Battle of Second Trenton, The Newburgh Conspiracy, The Genet Affair, or The Whiskey Rebellion. In each scenario, players assess the situation, listen to advice, and make decisions. Each scenario takes about 20 minutes. You can elect to play "Host" style where the teacher controls the game and students vote on which decisions to make. Or you can let students play individually in single player mode. Because the game does not give much background, teachers should consider the supplementary materials. Click on the question mark at the beginning to find teacher materials, background info, primary sources, and lesson plans for each scenario. It's narrated by Christopher Jackson, Hamilton's George Washington. Has closed captions.

Game

Heading into the Quasi-War

From: EDSITEment!

Grade Level: HS, (College)

Remote Ready: Yes!

Time: 2-3 class periods for all 3 activities

Length of Reading: Pages

Link: The United States Confronts Great Britain, 1793-1796: Lesson 1, click on "Lesson Activities"

Activity 1 is a board game that you can print; it involves shipping during the Quasi-War. Activities 2 and 3 have students read primary sources on the opinions regarding the Quasi-War and Jay's Treaty, answer questions, and discuss. Click the button for more info.

Lesson: Graphic Organizer

National Bank Debate

From: Gilder Lehrman

Grade Level: HS, College

Remote Ready: With Modifications!

Time: 1 Class Period

Length of Reading: Pages

Link: National Bank Debate

Common Core aligned. Students read primary sources from Jefferson and Hamilton (4 pages total) concerning the creation of the National Bank. They fill in graphic-organizers in partners. Then the class discusses answers and additional questions.

Lesson: Primary Sources

Hamilton v. Jefferson

From: Digital Inquiry Group

Grade Level: HS, College

Remote Ready: With Modifications!

Time: Less than 1 class period

Length of Reading: Pages

Link: Hamilton v. Jefferson

Students read 2 paragraphs about the Hamilton-Jefferson disagreement. Then they read a letter each man wrote to GW (1 page each, 2 pages total) about their conflict and answer questions in pairs.

Citations for transition images:

Christy, Howard Chandler. "Signing of the Constitution." Architect of the Capitol, 8 July 2025, https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/signing-constitution.

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