You can begin this lesson by reading with the class the introductory paragraphs about the Critical Period.
This is followed by a section on the Articles of Confederation. Students read an outline and underline or highlight the weaknesses in this plan of government.
Next, there is series of yes/no questions about events that did or did not occur during the Critical Period, along with a Thought Question to develop critical thinking skills.
Three short reading sections with follow-up questions can be assigned for homework. They are entitled:
- Land Ordinance of 1785
- Northwest Ordinance
- Constitutional Convention
Questions about the Land Ordinance of 1785 are based on a diagram illustrating how Western lands were to be divided and sold. Ten true/false statements accompany information pertaining to the Northwest Ordinance. To conclude the lesson, as part of the section entitled Constitutional Convention, each student writes 100-150 words while pretending to be an American citizen living in Boston, MA, in 1787. They have decided to write a letter to the editor of the Boston Gazette to convince others a new constitution is needed to replace the Articles of Confederation. More details are provided on the lesson pages.
Easy-to-follow Teacher Instructions and answer key included, along with a 20-question follow up quiz to measure student progress. The quiz can also be given as a homework assignment.