Alabama Social Studies SS24.6.11b

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).

Summarize the arguments favoring and opposing ratification of the Constitution of the United States.

2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain why Federalists supported approval and why Anti-Federalists opposed it. They compare arguments about national power, state power, and individual rights. They explain how a promise to add a bill of rights affected the debate.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain that supporters wanted a stronger national government and trusted checks and balances to limit it. They can explain why critics feared lost state power and unprotected rights, then show how a bill of rights addressed one concern.
Common Misconceptions: Some students think the original Constitution already included the Bill of Rights. Others think opponents wanted no national government, rather than a government with clearer limits.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Write one argument for approval, one argument against it, and explain which objection a bill of rights addressed.

Lesson moves

Hand pairs four printed cards: weak national government, checks and balances, state power, and missing rights; have them sort by side.
Ask, “Would you vote to approve the proposed Constitution without a bill of rights? Give one reason and answer one objection.”
Play a two-team debate: each team draws a position card, then takes turns making one claim and answering the other side.
Show a school club rule giving officers control over dues; have students write one reason to approve it and one reason to demand limits.

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