Lesson Plan Template

NAME: Lindsey VanFossen

GRADE/CONTENT TOPIC: 12
th
grade, U.S. Government, The Articles of Confederation: A
Surprising Success or Fantastic Failure? (96 mins)

PURPOSE: To recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and
how this recognition shaped the development of the Constitution.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Students will identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles.
2. Students will develop skills of persuasion, compromise, and consensus building.
3. Students will make connections between modern day independence movements and the
creation of the U.S.
OCSS STANDARDS & NCSS STRANDS:
OCSS Standards
4. The processes of persuasion, compromise, consensus building a negotiation contribute to the
resolution of conflicts and differences.
6. The Federalist Papers and the Anti-Federalist Papers framed the national debate over the basic
principles of government encompassed by the Constitution of the United States.
NCSS Strands
Individuals, Groups, and Institutions: Guide learner analysis of the extent to which groups and
institutions meet individual needs and promote the common good in contemporary and historical
settings.
Power, Authority, and Governance: Have learners explain conditions, actions, and motivations
that contribute to conflict and cooperation within and among nations.
Civic Ideals and Practices: Assist learners in understanding the origins and continuing
influence of key ideals of the democratic republican form of government, such as individual
human dignity, liberty, justice, equality, and the rule of law.

INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: PowerPoint, projector,
internet access
HANDOUTS/READINGS: Congress, VA, PA, NY, RI, CT worksheets, state/congress signs, 3-
2-1 handout

PROCEDURES/STEPS TO THE LESSON:
1. Prior to class, load PowerPoint presentation, videos, timer, and Should I stay or should I
go to play upon entering room. Hang state/congress signs. Greet students at the door.
Have students form six groups if they are not already (5 mins).

2. Distribute and proctor DOI quiz (10 mins).

3. Begin PowerPoint presentation. Introduce todays objective and goals (5 mins).
Goals: Understand the Articles of Confederation
- Identify the main features
- Describe the strengths of the AOC
- Understand its weaknesses and ultimate failure
- Make connections between the Articles and:
- the Declaration of Independence
- The Constitution
- Scotlands push for independence from the U.K
Establish prior knowledge surrounding Scotlands push for independence. Whats going
on in Scotland? Who are the opposing sides? (Unionists vs. Nationalists) What are their
arguments?

4. Show opening video. Go over arguments presented (5 mins)

5. Results, closing video, still want that tattoo? (6 mins)

6. Ties to AOC (3 mins).

7. England vs. GB vs. U.K. (2 mins).

8. Brief history of AOC (5 mins).

9. Introduce activity. Pass out assignments. Give students a few minutes to read over their
instructions. Answer any questions. Its ok to be selfish/play devils advocate!! If you
cant reach a compromise, you must move on (10 mins).

10. Begin activity. Congress gets 10 minutes/state to pitch them and vote. States that are not
being pitched to should be filling out their worksheets and discussing their decisions.
Monitor time and set timer (30 mins).

11. Bring congress back to together compile their results. Share results with class. What laws
passed with a 4/5 majority?not a simple majority because 9/13 states had to approve a
law under the AOC. Did you get enough brigades and money? What went well? What
was more difficult? How are these tied to the strengths and weaknesses of the AOC? How
did you reach a compromise? (7 mins).

12. Bring PowerPoint back up. Go over strengths and weakness which students should have
discovered in the activity. Present Shays rebellion as the ultimate weakness (7 mins).

13. Assign Closure/Homework (1 min).

CLOSURE:
3: List three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
2: Explain two strengths of the Articles of Confederation
1: Make one connection between the AOC and Scotlands push for independence.

ASSESSMENT/EVIDENCE OF LEARNING:
Objective 1: Post-activity discussion and lecture. Students will identify what restraints (aka
AOC weaknesses) prevented them from reaching and compromise and which tactics (aka AOC
strengths) allowed them to reach a compromise.
Objective 2: Activity/congress and state handouts. Students will develop arguments for their
decisions and decide how they will or will not work with congress.
Objective 3: Closure/homework assignment. Students will connect what they have learned about
what the AOC offered and did not offer the newly forming United States and what Scotlands
stands to lose if ever separates from the U.K.
HOMEWORK: Closure may turn into homework depending on time constraints.

NOTES/REFLECTIONS:






Name:_________________________________________Date______________Block_______
Closer/Homework: 3-2-1
3 List three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2 Explain two strengths of the Articles of Confederation.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
1 Make one connection between the AOC and Scotlands push for Independence.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________





Name:_________________________________________Date______________Block_______

Closer/Homework: 3-2-1
3 List three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2 Explain two strengths of the Articles of Confederation.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
1 Make one connection between the AOC and Scotlands push for Independence.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________