American Centuries

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American Centuries > Lessons > History Lessons By Teachers > The Constitution and Shays Influence

The Constitution and Shays Influence

Details

Author
Sandra Blasioli
Topic/Subject Area
Civil Rights, Protest, Dissent; Politics, Government, Law, Civics
Historical Era
Revolutionary America, 1763–1783, The New Nation, 1784–1815
Grade Level
Middle School (6–8)
Creation Date
2009
Last Revision Date
2024

Related items

About This Lesson

Summary and Objective

Through the use of primary sources, students will understand that Massachusetts writers used Shays Rebellion not only to inform citizens of current events but also to influence them to consider and/or accept a change in the current government, The Articles of Confederation. Based on these readings and previously learned material, students will create a time line of events to assist them in writing a persuasive paragraph to convince the voters of Massachusetts to accept or reject the new government.

Materials & Resources

Collection Items

Teaching Plan

  1. Students will have had previous instruction concerning Shays Rebellion, The Articles of Confederation, and how to write a persuasive paragraph.
  2. Students will read the primary sources listed in the Materials & Resources section and choose at least three to four that they wish to use as sources. Then they will take notes on the ones they chose to assist them with their time line and persuasive paragraph.
  3. Using these sources and previously learned material, students will create a time line of events from Shays Rebellion to the new Constitution. (5-8 events to give them a sense of order.)
  4. Students will use their time lines and primary sources of their choosing to write a persuasive paragraph convincing their audience (Massachusetts citizens) to accept or reject the new constitution.
  5. Students will edit, revise, and check the accuracy of their paragraphs.
  6. Students will then take their revised copy and create a final paragraph to attach to their time line for completion of this assignment.