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Primary
Yale University

Avalon Project: Madison Debates

For Students 9th - 10th
Read online from James Madison's report of William Patterson's proposal of the New Jersey Plan at the Federal Convention, 1787. Link to related document: Articles of Confederation as related specifically to each proposal in the New...
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Activity
US National Archives

Nara: Charters of Freedom: Constitution of the United States

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive overview of the U.S. Constitution. Places the Constitution in context with two other founding charters of American democracy and government, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Includes access to digital...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Theory of the American Founding: Why Government? (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson that considers how the American founders answered the question, What is government? Examines why, from the point of view of the founders, government is not only necessary, but good for human beings.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: u.s. Constitution and the Idea of Compromise (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson, examine many of the opposing viewpoints held by founding fathers as they considered various compromises that made the U.S. Constitution possible, including the three-fifths compromise made to placate slave-owning states.