Eighth Grade Work on Articles of Confederation and the Constitution

In our eighth grade classes, we've been discussing the first national government of the United States—the Articles of Confederation—and the shift to the Constitution. Students have noted in their composition book the strengths, weaknesses, and accomplishments of the Articles government, as well as the serious problems the country faced during that time that led to the need for governmental change (inflation, debt, foreclosures, problems with Spain and Britain, and finally, Shays' Rebellion.)

Today, students read about the ratification process of the Constitution and about what kind of government the Constitution creates. Reading pages 201, 204-207, and answering five of the following questions on a document and dropping it in the assignment folder.

Answer five of the following bullet points

• Why did three delegates refuse to sign the finished Constitution? Do you think they had a good reason?
• What approval (or ratification) process did the delegates create for the Constitution? How does this compare to the process for the Articles?
• What is Federalism?
• What are "checks and balances"? Give three examples
• What were the Federalist Papers?
• Why did Anti-Federalists oppose the Constitution?
• What fears did each side have regarding the Constitution?
• Why was the approval of New York and Virginia so important?

When done, name it "Constitution Questions" and drop it in your assignment folder. Due on Thursday before class starts.