Federalists & Anti-Federalists (difficult)

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.

Lesson 1:

1. Activity 1: View a 4 minute YouTube video on Alexander Hamilton. Students then read 2 primary sources excerpts from Anti-Federalist documents (one is 6 pages, the other is 9 pages), fill in a worksheet, and discuss.

   
   

2. Activity 2: Students read excerpts from 3 more lengthy anti-federalist documents and discuss.

Lesson 2:

1. Activity 1: This is a jigsaw activity. Divide the class into 3 groups. Each group gets snippets of 1-2 different docs from the Federalist Papers (1-3 pages in length); Teachers: don't click the link under "Activity." Instead get these docs with their worksheets under "Materials & Media." Groups answer questions on their document(s) and meet to discuss them. The groups are then reshuffled and students complete worksheets for other document sets by talking to members of the other 2 groups. And the class discusses.

   
   

2. Activity 2 (optional): Students will role play. They will each be given a card with the name and interests of a Senator or Representative. Then bills will be introduced and students will have to discuss and vote as their character