This is lesson 10 in text unit for Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz. After reading the text, this lesson will focus on the central idea that the U.S. Constitution is a recognized symbol of the United States, and details that support the central idea. Students will recognize that the writing and ratification of the U.S. Constitution was necessary for the United States to be a unified country rather than individual states. After reading Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution, students will identify the central idea of the text and specific details that support it using a graphic organizer. The lesson is introduced using fictitious digital media post as a platform to engage students to interact with the content.

This unit will help students understand why and how the Constitution was created, including: the original thirteen colonies and important historical figures present during the creation, the challenges and conflicts that state representatives faced during writing the Constitution, motifs and themes during the “Grand Convention,” and the relationship between state and national constitutions. Lessons will allow students to identify citizens’ civic duties outlined by the Constitution, the relationship between the federal and state Constitutions, and important historical symbols. Each part of the unit will include an in-depth dive into vocabulary and how it applies to the meaning of the text.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.