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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Ferrand's Records: Records of the Federal Convention

For Students 9th - 10th
A large collection of chronological links to the text of the official records of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
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Unit Plan
Other

Left Justified: Founding Fathers

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical accounts of fifty men who played a wide variety of roles in bringing about America's break with Great Britain, and in the creation of the documents and plans that created the new nation, like the Declaration of Independence,...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Bill of Rights

For Students 4th - 8th
The Constitution spelled out the powers of the national government, but many Anti-federalists felt there should be equally explicit a guarantee of individual rights. Read about the compiliation of what became known as the Bill of Rights...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Tough Issues

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about the change of plans when delegates to the Philadelphia convention decided to write a new constitution to replace the Articles of Convention. See the ideas delegates had to address concerns of large and small states.
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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Records of the Federal Convention: Farrand

For Students 9th - 10th
This article offers discussion of various aspects of the Federal Constitutional Convention of 1787, along with images from original congressional documents.
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Graphic
Curated OER

American Writers: Thomas Jefferson & James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
An informational site on Jefferson & Madison. Includes general information about each one's life, works, and writings, including The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution. Also includes links to other sites.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
The fourth President of the United States. He was co-author, with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton, of the Federalist Papers, and is traditionally regarded as the Father of the United States Constitution.
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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: Federalist Papers, No. 10 & No. 51

For Students 9th - 10th
This site presents the full document of the Federalist Papers, No. 10 & No. 51. Content includes information about the document and the full text of the document. This is No. 10. Scroll to the lower part of the page for a link to No....
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Unknown Type
University of Florida

Freedom of Speech: The First Amendment and the u.s. Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
Interactive site outlines thoughts on the First Amendment from four founding fathers. Click on their faces to find an index reflecting their thoughts. From a student project at University of Florida.
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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Farrand's Records: Randolph's Suggestion for Conciliating

For Students 9th - 10th
Read Randolph's actual words from the Library of Congress in his proposal and reaction to the New Jersey Plan for solving the representation question in Congress, as recorded by James Madison at the Federal Constitutional Convention.
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Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: George Mason

For Students 9th - 10th
George Mason's ideas helped to shape the Founding documents of the United States, but few Americans remember him today. The words he used when writing the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Constitution of 1776 inspired the...
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Interactive
Other

Constitution facts.com: Which Founding Father Are You?

For Students 3rd - 8th
Answer five questions to learn which of six Founding Fathers you are most like.
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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: Virginia Plan (1787)

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Read the complete text of the Virginia Plan that proposed a strong central government consisting of three branches. You can also view images of the original drafts.
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PPT
US National Archives

National Archives: Congress Creates the Bill of Rights I

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the first PDF in a four-part series on the Bill of Rights. This part focuses on the history and chronology of the passage of the Bill of Rights. Vivid pictures, primary source documents, and a timeline are provided. [PDF]
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Website
Utah Education Network

Uen: Themepark: Liberty: United States Historical Documents

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Find a large collection of internet resources organized around historical documents. Links to places to go, people to see, things to do, teacher resources, and bibliographies.
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Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: The War of 1812

For Teachers 6th - 9th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart describes the War of 1812 from the first battle of the U.S.S. Constitution to the Battle of New Orleans. It includes paintings of the major battles and important participants, as well as...
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Lesson Plan
Schools of California Online Resources for Education

Score: Debate on Ratification

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students become one of the famous men who argued for or against ratification of the Constitution. They research and present their argumets to the class, who will then vote whether or not to ratify the new Constitution.
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Primary
Bill of Rights Institute

The Bill of Rights Institute: The Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. Written by James Madison in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties, the Bill of Rights lists specific...
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Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: Founding Principles

For Students 9th - 10th
Below, you will find suggested definitions of each principle. Click here to read the words of James Madison, a primary contributor to the Constitution, and other Founders on these principles.