Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: Delegates to the Constitutional Convention

For Students 3rd - 5th
The Constitutional Convention of May 1787 is explained in kid-friendly terms. Suggestions for research projects, resource links and some activities are included. The rest of the site has lots more information on the US government.
Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Slavery in Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Young scholars use primary source documents to investigate the central historical question about slavery. In this investigation students consider the positions of delegates to the Constitutional...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: The Constitutional Convention Mini Lesson

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore how the U.S. government was created in the years following the Articles of Confederation.
Unit Plan
CPALMS

Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: From Confederation to Constitution

For Students 7th
This tutorial examines the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and why they were replaced with the Constitution. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: New Nation: The Constitution [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
This teacher's guide provides a list of resources for information about the Constitution and its signers.
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: The Constitution: Drafting a More Perfect Union

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
This instructional activity provides discussion, culminating, and extension activities to enhance student understanding of the Constitution, and the Committees of Detail and Style. Students have the opportunity to compare the work of...
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Drafting the Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Those writing the Constitution had many issues to deal with in forming a document to govern the country. One thorny issue was the status of the states in regard to representation in the federal legislature. Read about the Virginia Plan...
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: Edmund Randolph 1753 1813

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the University of Groningen profiles Edmund Randolph and chronicles his role as Attorney General of the US. Also includes his role as the presenter of the Virginia Plan to the Constitutional Convention.
Handout
US National Archives

Nara: Founding Fathers: New Hampshire

For Students 9th - 10th
Gives biographical details on the two delegates from New Hampshire to the Constitutional Convention: Nicholas Gilman and John Langdon.
Handout
University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania Archives & Records: Jared Ingersoll (1749 1822)

For Students 9th - 10th
This article gives highlights on the career of this delegate from Pennsylvania to the Constitutional Convention. Ingersoll was considered one of the best lawyers in Philadelphia at that time.
Website
Other

Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia: Convention City

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides information on the famous conventions that Philadelphia is known for, beginning with the Constitutional Convention.
Primary
University of Chicago

The Founders' Constitution: Notes From Virginia Ratifying Convention

For Students 9th - 10th
Edmund Randolph's notes taken at the state convention of Virginia on ratification of the new Constitution.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Major Clash? Compromise!

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson, students explore the reasons for and outcomes of some of the most impactful resolutions made to form the U.S. Constitution.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: James Mc Clurg 1746 1823

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a biography of James McClurg (1746-1823), a noted scientist and doctor in the early days of the United States. He was also a politician. McClurg was part of the Virginia delegation of the Constitutional Convention.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Philadelphia in 1787

For Students 9th - 10th
A quick snapshot of what the city of Philadelphia was like in terms of population, wealth, and appearance at the beginning of the Constitutional Convention held there in 1787.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Delegates

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting look at the background of the men who gathered in Philadelphia to frame a new constitution for the new country.
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: American Memory: George Washington to James Madison, 1787

For Students 9th - 10th
Read George Washington's observations of the delegates, particularly the Anti-Federalists, at the Constitutional Convention, and the objections the opposition presented, which Washington cites in the letter. View an image of the original...
Graphic
Other

The Architect of the Capitol: Roger Sherman

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from the Architect of the Capitol is a government site that focuses on art and architecture in the U.S. Capitol. Features a picture of a marble statue of Sherman.

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