Alabama Social Studies SS24.6.11a

Social Studies6th GradeCreating a Government

The Standard

SS24.6.11: Analyze how collaboration and compromise were employed to address key issues during the Constitutional Convention, including representation in Congress (Great Compromise and bicameral legislature), balance of power between national and state governments (establishment of the system of federalism), limiting government power (establishment of the three branches), and slavery (Three-Fifths Compromise).

Describe the role of Founding Fathers at the Constitutional Convention and explain how they contributed to the development of the Constitution.

2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify what key delegates did at the meeting in Philadelphia. They explain how a dispute over state representation shaped Congress.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain that Washington chaired the meeting, Madison helped develop the Virginia Plan, and Sherman proposed a compromise. They can explain why states have equal votes in the Senate but seats based on population in the House.
Common Misconceptions: Students may say Washington wrote the Constitution alone or that Jefferson attended the convention. Some confuse the Constitution with the Declaration of Independence.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: How did Sherman's proposal settle the dispute over seats in Congress? Name one other delegate and what he did.

Lesson moves

Give groups Madison and Sherman role cards and paper seat tokens; have them model each plan for three states of different sizes.
Ask students to write: Why would a small state reject Madison's plan, and how would Sherman's proposal address its concern?
Play a matching game with delegate, action, and outcome cards for Washington, Madison, and Sherman.
Show a town map with large and small neighborhoods; ask students to assign council seats, then compare their plan with Sherman's.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to SS24.6.11a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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