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. < Back Next > More Information: Grade Level: MS, HS, College: This lesson is meant for middle school, high school, and college students This Activity Involves: Game: When this icon is present, students play a game (video, board, puzzle, strategy, etc). MarySan. "Play Games have fun neon sign with game pad, bright signboard, light banner. Game logo neon, emblem. Vector illustration." Adobestock, 20 August 2025, https://stock.adobe.com/images/play-games-have-fun-neon-sign-with-game-pad-bright-signboard-light-banner-game-logo-neon-emblem-vector-illustration/442215355?prev_url=detail.

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. Though long, this lesson is definitely worthwhile. So let's see if we can help break it down so you can pick the parts you like. Activity 1: Students read a set of primary sources about how delegates tended to agree an executive was necessary. They fill out a graphic organizer and discuss answers with the class. Then students read another set of primary sources on the number of executives there should be, answer questions, and discuss. Activity 2: Students read primary source sets in groups on the debate over how presidents should be elected. They answer questions and the class discusses. Activity 3: Primary source on the length of the president's term are addressed here. Students answer questions in groups and the class discusses. Activity 4: Students read primary source sets on the powers of the president. The teacher leads a discussion to fill out a chart < Back Next > More Information: Grade Level: HS, (College): This lesson is meant for high school students; however we think it would be well suited for college students too This Activity Involves: Primary Source: This activity utilizes primary sources. Group Work: This activity calls for working in pairs or groups or having a group discussion. Image: Howard Chandler Christy, Signing of the Constitution, Oil on Canvas, Architect of the Capitol, 5/23/25, https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/signing-constitution .

Hamilton the Musical From: Hamilton Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1-3 Class Periods Length of Reading: None Link: None You can watch a recording of the complete Hamilton Musical if you have a subscription to Disney Plus. If you have a subscription to PBS, you might be able to watch "Hamilton's America" on Great Performances about the making of the musical. Or if you're short on time you can pull up a few songs from the musical on YouTube and work them into your lecture surrounding the Early Republic. You might listen to these songs in particular: "Cabinet Battle #1" about Hamilton's plan for a national bank "The Room Where It Happens" about the deal Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison made to accept each other's plans. Hamilton's plan for the National Bank was traded for the US capitol being located in Washington D.C. "Cabinet Battle #2"* about whether the US should join France in their fight against England after the American Revolution. *Please note the words "God damn" are uttered. < Back Next > More Information: Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College): We put these in parentheses because there is no specified age group for the activity; however, we think it would be well suited for middle school, high school, and college students This Activity Involves: Movie: This activity involves a clip, film, or documentary. Image: Listen. , ca. 1901. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2012648364/.

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. < Back Next > More Information: Grade Level: MS, HS, College: This lesson is meant for middle school, high school, and college students This Activity Involves: Primary Source: This activity utilizes primary sources. AI generated Virginia vs New Jersey. Adobe Firefly, 19 August 2025.