Constitution: The Words We Live By
Developed by: Maine Council for the Social Studies

Grade Level: -5-8

The MLR performance indicators listed below are for illustrative purposes. Depending on the focus of the lessons as developed by individual teachers, these indicators may or may not be addressed. Conversely this is not a definitive listing of all of the performance indicators which could be addressed in this lesson.

MLR: Civics and Government (Fundamental Principles of Government and Constitutions): C-1, C-2; English/ Language Arts: A-2,A-4, A-7, A-8, A-9, A-10, A-11; B-5, B-7, B-9; C-5; D-1, D-2, D-3, D-4, D-5; E-3; F-2; G-7, G-8, G-10; H-2, H-8, H-9

Task Description:

Students can begin to hear about and understand the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Create posters of significant portions (there are many commercially available) and have the class discuss them. Bring to the discussion the Maine Constitution and identify some similarities. Be sure and point out reasons why the US Constitution and the Maine Constitution contain similarities.

Student Product/Performance

Students could present speeches at the Constitutional Convention and subsequent Maine conventions to advocate for acceptance of the document. Speeches should include historical basis in fact. Who was at the original Constitutional convention (Rufus King particularly) and who would be present also in Maine (King’s brother, the first governor) Was Rufus there?

Resources

United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights
    Historical Documents
    About the Constitution of the United States

Maine Constitution

Criteria for Evaluation

Students’ speeches should contain content appropriate to the subject, have an introduction, a thesis and supporting information, and a conclusion. When presenting the speech, students should have used appropriate language, spoken clearly, loud enough for the presentation area, and had good eye contact.