Name: ____________________________

Date: __________ Class ____________

WEB PROJECT -- The Constitution

Since we are studying the Constitution, I thought it would be nice to tap into the web for some background information. I found a wonderful website chock full of interesting information. This is literally everything you always wanted to know about the Constitution and more …

You are asked to go to this web page and explore. Pay attention to the biographical sketches of the founders, the convention of 1787, amendments, and students’ rights.

Here is the site, just type this into your web browser (or, if you are accessing this on the web, use the hyperlink:

www.usconstitution.net

The Constitution

Part One – Facts (1 pt each)

Here are some questions to test that you have checked out the site. Some are in the FOR KIDS/Bill of Rights section.

1) By checking the Founders list, you can see the known religions of the founding fathers … What Roman Catholic(s) signed the Constitution?

2) Read over the list of amendments … What amendment (by number) was later repealed (by which amendment)?

3) At the Constitutional Convention, was the issue of slavery a major or minor issue?

4) With regard to student rights (i.e. yours), what does the Latin phrase in loco parentis mean?

5) According to the Constitution, is it OK to search your locker?

6) Which Article of the Constitution made sure that women can vote equally with men?

Part Two: Comprehension (4 pts)

Try to craft a well-organized paragraph answering the following. Use a separate piece of paper or the back of this sheet.

1) With reference to question #3 above, what were the compromises made to hammer out the slavery issue? In your own words decide if these compromises solved the issue. (What happened later on?) Be sure to include these facts in your answer:

· The Northwest Ordinance

· The “three-fifths” rule, a holdover from the articles

· When Slavery was supposed to be abolished.

Part Three A: Synthesis (2 points each person)

It’s 2006 and Congress has decided to create another constitution. They have chosen you to pick the members of the constitutional convention.

Name five of the people alive today whom you would select. What are their occupations? Accomplishments? Why would they be worthy enough to place our country’s future in their hands?

On a separate sheet of paper or the back, labeled “Part 3A” and use this template for each of your five people:

Name:

Occupation:

Credentials:

Why them?

Part 3b: Synthesis (2 points each person)

Using the back of this page or a separate sheet, list 5 original members of the Constitutional Convention whom you would “bring back to life” for the 2006 Convention. Taking their biographical sketches from the website, briefly explain why they would help.

Part 4: Evaluation (10 points for section)

Ok, you can have these people, plus many others you have carefully selected from across America. Try and imagine they are gathered at a Convention Center. You bang the gavel and everyone is paying attention. On your papers or on the back, answer the following:

1) What would you say to open the Convention?

2) Do you think your convention would be an improvement on the one from 1787? What has happened in terms of amendments that might make your convention better?