Spring 2013 April 29th June 21st INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION Niki Parkin Meridian School District Contact me:

: nikiparkin@u.boisestate.edu (208)473-2603 Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, comments, or even ideas! I will respond as soon as possible. I usually check my email multiple times a day, so this may be the best way to get contact me; however, if you need to talk, just give me a call! COURSE DESCRIPTION & OVERVIEW This course was designed to assist 5th grade elementary students in researching the history of the United States Government. GOALS & OBJECTIVES

We The People Goals: Students will have a better understanding of the founding of this nation. Students will obtain knowledge about important documents and essential people who established the U.S. government. We The People Objectives: Given historical text about the foundation of the USA as well as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the student will be able to identify key people involved and explain important events. When asked questions regarding historical content in the text, the student will be able to answer each question. Given a copy of the Declaration of Independence, the student will be able to identify key people involved in the creation and signing. Given a copy of the U.S. Constitution, the student will be able to list at least three main points of this historical document. Given a sample answer to an essential question as well as a list of questions to choose from, the student will be able to construct an answer to one selected question and explain their answer using two resources. Given a list of essential questions, websites, and the textbook, the student will be able to answer a question using supporting information from two resources. Given a sample paper, websites, and other supporting information, the student will be able to construct a final draft paper using information from the essential question, making connections to important U.S. documents and current events. Using the answer from the essential question, the student will be able to write a paper. Given copies of the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, the student will be able to make connections to their essential question. Given a list of websites, the student will be able to find a current event or court case to connect to their paper. Given a sample paper, the student will be able to construct a rough draft. Having the information and a sample paper, the student will be able to revise their rough draft to complete a final draft. READINGS & RESOURCES Required Text: We the People Supportive Book Resources (optional): Shh! Were Writing The Constitution by Jean Fritz We The People: The Bill Of Rights by Michael Burgan

The Bill Of Rights by Christine Taylor-Butler A Kids Guide to Americas Bill Of Rights by Kathleen Krull The Founders by Dennis Fradin Designing America: The Constitutional Convention by Sean Price The Declaration Of Independence by Elaine Landau The Supreme Court by Christine Taylor-Butler The U.S. Constitution And You by Syl Sobel Constitution Translated For Kids by Cathy Travis A More Perfect Union: The Story Of Our Constitution by Betsy & Giulio Maestro The Creation Of The U.S. Constitution by Michael Burgan We The Kids: Preamble To The Constitution Of The United States by David Catrow SCHEDULE & DUE DATES DATE April 29 May 3 May 6 May 10 May 13 May 17 May 20 May 24 ACTIVITIES Reading, answer questions, discussion Reading, answer questions, discussion Reading, answer questions, discussion Reading, answer questions, find & submit 2 resources, discussion May 27 May 31 Reading, answer questions, find 1 court case or current event to connect to topic question, discussion June 3 June 14 Submit rough draft, make connection to Declaration of Independence & U.S. Constitution, include court case/current event June 17 June 21 Revise and submit final paper GRADING CRITERIA ASSIGNMENT Discussion Participation Unit Questions Discussion Participation Unit Questions Discussion Participation Unit Questions Discussion Participation Unit Questions 2 Resources Discussion Board Unit Questions Court Case/Current Event Rough Draft POINTS 10 40 10 40 10 40 10 40 20 10 40 20 100

Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6

Module 7 MODULE Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4

Module 5

Module 6

Module 7

Final Draft

150