Elementary School Government Research

Explore the Framers of the Constitution:

Students will research members of the Constitutional Convention who became framers of the Constitution. They will decide what was important to the different individuals who made up this group and tell if they were successful in their goals.

Students will review the work of classmates and then reach their own conclusions to answer extension questions which will lead to deeper thinking.

Aligns with Indiana 5th grade Social Studies Standard 5.H.15.

What's included:

• Teacher instructions.
• Information sheets for 7 Framers of the Constitution. (George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry)
• Extension Questions.
• Link to reputable source for research.

How is this product useful:

• Low prep for teacher.
• Students will engage in higher level thinking.
• Students respond to research.
• Insight on why the framers of the Constitution supported or didn't support the goals laid out by the Convention.

Engaging Activities for 5th Grade Social Studies:

These activities keep students engaged throughout the year as they study United States History. Although these activities are aligned with Studies Weekly, each activity can be completed without Studies Weekly. "Missing" weeks are due to Studies Weekly assigning inquiries once per unit.

What's included:

Beginning of the Year Escape Room:

• history
• civics and government
• geography
• economics

Inquiry: How to Research (Weeks 1-4)

• Social Studies Lenses Activity
• Primary and Secondary Sources Activity
• Fact and Opinion Activity
• How to Research Yearlong Checklist
• Response to Inquiry: Kids Making a Difference Infographic

North America Before European Contact (Weeks 6-8)

• Indigenous People's Regional Dwellings Activity
• Indigenous Tribe Infographic
• Introduction to Archaeology Activity
• Indigenous Trade Routes Activity

European Exploration and Colonization (Weeks 10-18)

• Columbian Exchange Import Poster
• Cooperation and Conflict in Jamestown Activity
• Explorer Trading Cards
• Supply and Demand Activity with Land Use Extension
• Thirteen Colonies by Region Image Reveal
• Trading Along the Silk Road Game
• Ranking Colonial Groups Activity
• Charter of the Colonies Picture Reveal
• Indigenous Trade with Europeans Game
• French and Indian War Escape Room
• Benjamin Franklin Facts Prism
• Alliances with North Americans Worksheets

The American Revolution (Weeks 19-26)

• Protesting Acts of Parliament Protest Signs
• Tea Party Pennants
• Founding Fathers Game
• Declaration of Independence Escape Room
• Iroquois Confederation and Articles of Confederation Venn Diagram
• Design a Monument to Revolutionary Minorities
• American Revolution Battles Infographic
• Battles After Yorktown Timeline

Creating a New Nation (Weeks 27-31)

• Federalists/Anti-Federalists Poster and Debate
• Framers of the Constitution Information Sheets
• Ratifying the Constitution Stations
• Bill of Rights Activity: Display the Amendments
• Bill of Rights Four Corners Review
• Bill of Rights/Declaration of Independence Grievances Picture Reveal
• Formation of Political Parties Infographic
• Lewis and Clark Primary Source Animal Activity
• Northwest Ordinance Spoons Game
• Westward Expansion Game
• Preamble to the Constitution Picture Reveal

End of the Year Escape Room

• history
• constitution
• civics/government
• geography
• economics

Aligns with Indiana Standards: 5.H.1, 5.H.2, 5.H.3, 5.H.5, 5.H.6, 5.H.7, 5.H.8, 5.H.9, 5.H.10, 5.H.11, 5.H.12, 5.H.13, 5.H.14, 5.H.15, 5.H.16, 5.H.17, 5.C.1, 5.C.2, 5.C.3, 5.C.5, 5.C.7, 5.G.1, 5.G.2, 5.G.7, 5.E.1, 5.E.2, 5.E.3, 5.E.5.

What's Included:

• Teacher instructions.
• Student instructions.
• All necessary handouts.
• All necessary templates.
• Answer Keys.
• Links to research sites.
• Links to digital activities.

How is this bundle useful:

• Easy to prep for teachers.
• Engaging for students.
• Great supplements for curriculum.
• Helpful for sub plans.
• Follow up questions increase rigor.

Creating a New Nation-After the American Revolution:

This bundle contains a wide variety of worksheets, activities, and games concerning the events following the American Revolution.

Most products include extension questions which engage students in deeper level thinking. These questions help students make connections American history topics or their own experience. These questions are also excellent discussion starters for class time.

These products align with Indiana 5th Grade Social Studies Standards 5.C.1, 5.C.3, 5.C.5, 5.E.3, 5.H.14, 5.H.15. 5.H.16, 5.H.17.

What's included:

• Instructions for teachers.
• Instructions for students.
• Printable templates.
• Printable worksheets.
• Printable extension questions.
• Necessary rubrics.
• Necessary answer keys.
• Links for digital versions of resources.

How are these products useful:

• Low prep for teacher.
• Engaging for students.
• Meaningful work for Social Studies standards. (5.C.1, 5.C.3, 5.C.5, 5.E.3, 5.H.14, 5.H.15. 5.H.16, 5.H.17.)
• Hands on.
• Aligns with 5th Grade Studies Weekly Weeks 27-31