Founding Compromise

Objective

By the end of this 45-minute lesson, 8th-grade U.S. History students will understand the main aspects of the Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, Great Compromise, and Three-Fifths Compromise. Students will be able to explain how these plans and compromises contributed to the shaping of the U.S. Constitution.

Curriculum Area

• U.S. History
• Grade Level: 8th Grade
• Alignment with Common Core Standards:
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases in historical texts.

Materials Needed

1. Whiteboard and markers
2. Screen and projector (for displaying visuals)
3. Copies of the worksheet for each student (see below)
4. A timer

Lesson Plan

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greet the students and provide an overview of today's lesson.
• Explain that understanding these historical plans and compromises will help them see how different ideas and interests were balanced during the creation of the U.S. government.

Direct Instruction (10 minutes)

• Virginia Plan: Discuss how it favored larger states by proposing representation based on population.
• New Jersey Plan: Explain how this plan advocated for smaller states with equal representation in Congress.
• Great Compromise: Describe how it combined both plans into a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives (by population) and a Senate (equal representation).
• Three-Fifths Compromise: Discuss how this determined that three out of every five enslaved people would be counted for population and taxation purposes.

Guided Practice (10 minutes)

• Divide the classroom into four groups, assigning each group one of the plans or compromises.
• Each group discusses the significance of their assigned topic and prepares a brief 2-minute presentation.
• Assist groups as needed, clarifying details and refocusing discussions.

Group Presentations (12 minutes)

• Allow each group to present their findings to the rest of the class.
• Encourage other students to take notes and ask questions, promoting an interactive environment.

Worksheet Activity (5 minutes)

• Distribute the provided worksheet.
• Instruct students to work quietly, filling in details about each plan and compromise.
• Respond to any questions they may have as they work on their worksheet.

Conclusion (3 minutes)

• Recap the key points of each plan and compromise.
• Highlight the importance of compromise and negotiation in building a government.
• Prompt students to reflect on how these ideas are relevant in today's political landscape.

Assessment

• Collect the worksheets to assess each student's understanding of the key concepts.

Worksheet

Worksheet: Foundational Plans and Compromises

1. Virginia Plan:

• What was the proposed structure of Congress?
• Which states benefited from this plan?

2. New Jersey Plan:

• How did this plan allocate representation in Congress?
• Who drafted the New Jersey Plan?

3. Great Compromise:

• Who proposed this compromise?
• How did this compromise resolve disagreements between large and small states?

4. Three-Fifths Compromise:

• What issue did this compromise address?
• How did this compromise affect representation in Congress?

Reflection:

• "Why do you think compromise was essential in the creation of the U.S. Constitution?"

This lesson plan combines historical context with interactive learning, offering students a deeper understanding of how the U.S. government was shaped and the importance of negotiation and compromise in governance.