8th Grade Principles Found In The Constitution Lesson Plan (Social Studies)

Topic: The principles found in the Constitution

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to identify and explain the principles found in the Constitution.

Materials

• Constitution of the United States
• Index cards or small pieces of paper
• Pen or pencil

Warm-up

• Ask students to think about the Constitution and what they know about it. Write their answers on the board.
• Discuss the answers as a class and explain that the Constitution is the foundation of our government and sets out the basic principles and rules that all governments in the United States must follow.

Direct Instruction

• Review the Preamble to the Constitution with students. Ask them to consider the meaning of each sentence in the Preamble and how it relates to the principles found in the Constitution.
• Use the handouts to help summarize the main principles found in the Constitution.
• Discuss each principle in detail and how it is reflected in the Constitution. Emphasize the importance of each principle to the functioning of our government.
• Ask students to think about how each principle might apply to their own lives and how it affects the daily lives of Americans.

Guided Practice

• Divide students into small groups and give each group a copy of the Constitution. Guide students through a deeper analysis of the document, focusing on the main principles found in the Constitution.
• Have each group create a visual representation of the principles found in the Constitution. Can they combine the principles into one overarching concept?
• Have each group present their visual representation to the class and discuss their thoughts on the principles found in the Constitution.

Independent Practice

• Ask students to think about a current issue that is in the news, such as gun control or immigration policy.
• Have students research the issue and find specific examples of how the principles found in the Constitution are being applied to the issue.
• Have students create a poster or presentation sharing their findings with the class.

Closure

• Review the six principles found in the Constitution and how they are being applied to the current issue.
• Ask students to reflect on what they have learned about these principles and how they can apply them to their own lives.

Assessment

• Observe students during the debates and class discussions to assess their understanding of the six principles and their application to the current issue. Collect and grade the reports written by students on which principle they chose and how they are applying it to their lives.