Learning Activity

Comparing and Contrasting: The Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

5

Overview

In this learning activity, students will collaboratively compare and contrast the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan for establishing the branches of the federal government using a Venn Diagram.  The students will discuss the similarities and differences between the two plans.  The students will also look for characteristics of our current government.  Finally, students will discuss the results of the debate over both plans.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit. 

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 5

SS10.5.9

Explain how inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation led to the creation and eventual ratification of the Constitution of the United States.

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.5.9

Vocabulary

  • inadequacies
  • Article of Confederation
  • ratification
  • limitations
  • factions
  • Federalist
  • Anti-Federalist
  • republic
  • powers
  • principles

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation and the impact these had on the creation of the Constitution of the United States.
  • The duties and powers of the three branches of government.
  • The supporters and oppositions of the constitution.
  • The main principles of the bill of rights.
  • The impact of George Washington as president in a republic.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Analyze and describe the impact of government documents.
  • Describe and provide examples of major ideas, concepts, and limitations of the Constitution including the duties and powers of the three branches of government.
  • Compare and contrast the positions of various groups involved in historic events, such as the writing of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
  • Analyze primary source documents.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The Articles of Confederation and influential groups and individuals played a role in the development of the United States Constitution.
Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 5

SS10.5.9.1

Describing major ideas, concepts, and limitations of the Constitution of the United States, including duties and powers of the three branches of government

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

The students will be able to describe major ideas, concepts, and limitations of the Constitution of the United States, including the duties and powers of the three branches of government.

Activity Details

1) Pair the students

2) Give each pair a copy of the reading passages. Each can read either the New Jersey Plan or Virginia Plan. 

3) After the students have read their passage they will discuss what they read and complete a Venn Diagram together. 

4) Ask the students: Do you think one plan was better than the other? Why?  

Do you see any characteristics of either plan in our current federal government? 

What was the result of the debate over the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan?

Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

The Venn Diagram should be used as an assessment of the activity.

Ask: What was the result of the debate over the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan?

Students should be able to express that the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan led to the Great Compromise which was the establishment of our current Congress (House and Senate). 

Variation Tips

This can be done individually as well as in pairs or groups. For higher achieving students this could be turned into a debate. For lower performing students they could be given highlighters to specifically highlight the information from the passages that could go on the Venn Diagram.

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

-Prior knowledge of the Constitutional Convention, content vocabulary, and why Articles of Confederation failed.

-Make enough copies for students to be able to write on their papers. 

Digital Tools / Resources

Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17Iae8ReJqBxVT9b4xbyytsd5_Asflqd7lmYhixtqZwg…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

mkware78
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