1
Supporting Question Why did the framers of the United States Constitution feel a new document was necessary?
Formative Task Generate a list of concerns that prompted the writing of the Constitution.
Sources Source A: Excerpt from letter from Alexander Hamilton to James Duane
Source B: Excerpt from letter from George Washington to James Warren
Source C: Letter from John Jay to Thomas Jefferson
2
Supporting Question How did the Constitution structure the government?
Formative Task Create a graphic organizer that displays the branches of the federal government and their functions.
Sources Source A: Selections from the Constitution (Art. I, Sec. 7–9; Art. II, Sec. 2–3; Art. III Sec. 2)
Source B: Excerpt from Federalist No. 51
3
Supporting Question How did the framers protect slavery in the Constitution?
Formative Task Write a paragraph using evidence that explains how the framers protected slavery in the Constitution.
Sources Source A: Selections from the Constitution (Art. I Sec. 2, Clause 3; Art. I, Sec. 9, Clause 1; Art. IV, Sec.2, Clause 3)
Source B: Excerpts from James Madison’s notes from the Constitutional Convention
Source C: Excerpts from a speech by Benjamin Franklin
4
Supporting Question How democratic was the 1787 Constitution?
Formative Task Develop a claim supported by evidence that explains how democratic they consider the 1787 Constitution to be.
Sources Source A: Selections from the Constitution (Art. I, Sec. 2; Art. II, Sec. 1–2; Art. IV, Sec. 4; Art. V; Art. VII)
Source B: Excerpt from James Madison’s notes from the Constitutional Convention
Source C: Excerpt from Federalist No. 43