8th Grade We The People Lesson Plan (Social Studies)

Topic: We the People

Objectives & Outcomes

• Explain the meaning of "We the People" in the context of the U.S. government

Materials

• Copies of the Constitution for each student
• Pen and paper for each student

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have ever heard the phrase "We the People" before.
• Ask them to think about what it might mean and write their ideas on a piece of paper.
• Review the ideas as a class and discuss their reasoning behind each idea.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the phrase "We the People" and explain that it is a part of the preamble of the Constitution, the founding document of our Government.
• Ask students if they know what the preamble is and if they know its purpose.
• Explain that the preamble sets the tone for the Constitution and explains the purpose of the Government.
• Read the preamble out loud as a class, pausing after each sentence to discuss its meaning and significance.
• Ask students to write down the five rights guaranteed by the Constitution on a separate piece of paper.

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups and have each group discuss the rights they wrote down and how they are protected by the Constitution.
• Have each group share their ideas with the class and discuss any differences or similarities in their lists.
• Discuss the meaning of each right and how it impacts the lives of citizens.

Independent Practice

• For their project-based independent practice, have students research a specific right listed in the Constitution and write a short report on how that right has impacted their life or the life of someone they know. For example, a student might choose to research the right to bear arms and write a report on how that right has protected them or someone they know from a potential mugging.

Closure

• Have students share their reports with the class and discuss the importance of these rights to personal liberty and how they have impacted their own lives or the lives of others.

Assessment: Assessment will be based on the completion of the report, participation in class discussions, and contributions during class presentations.

• Assess students' understanding of the ramifications of the Government Shutdown and their knowledge of the protections afforded to them by the Constitution through a written quiz or test.