The document outlines instructions for an activity where students will simulate the Constitutional Convention in pairs or small groups. Students are assigned roles as founding fathers or note-takers and are given role cards to inform their position. The activity aims to have students experience the Convention as an exercise in political compromise through discussing different views on what type of government the new United States should adopt.

1.  Choose one
person from
this painting
and write
down what
you think he
might be
saying or
thinking…
Do Now:
Aim: How was the Constitutional
Convention an exercise in
compromise?

2. Constitutional Convention

3. Unit 2 Quiz #2
on Castlelearning.com
20 questions=20 points
due tomorrow!

4. Who here is like George
Washington???
Charmin
g
?

5. Socratic Seminar
or Constitutional Convention simulation
• Get into pairs
• Decide who will be
debater #1 and who
will be debater #2
• Grab one role card
for both of you

6. Roles to pick:
–Debaters: in pairs you are graded on
quantity & quality of participation. [Founding
Fathers]
–Note-Taker: graded on feedback provided to
debater and completion of rubric. [James
Madison]
–President [1]: graded on being able to keep
the discussion going by asking questions,
introducing topics… [George Washington]
Constitutional Convention
Socratic Simulation

7. Note-takers: How to provide feedback and
complete the rubric…
5
He not only shared what
was included in his role
card, but also
participated on all other
topics following the role
card’s interests

8. Task:
 In pairs, complete
the organizer as if
you were the
person in your
role card.

9. Closure:
 What type of government
would best work for the
United States? WHY? (answer
as your role card)
• Gov. that interferes in the economy,
society…affairs of the states
• Gov. that leaves each state to make
decisions on its own.