"The Constitutional Compromises" Notes Assignment

BACKGROUND: For this assignment, you will be researching some of the compromises that came about in the creation of our Constitution and creating a product that demonstrates one of those compromises.

THE ASSIGNMENT, PART ONE- Background Research:  The Constitution truly is a “bundle of compromises", a number of them are listed below. In your notebook, answer the questions below and then write a summary of each side of the compromises below. Try to put the summaries into your own words.  Also, note how the final compromise addressed both sides of the issue. Information for this assignment will be found starting on Page 40 in the "American Government" text and going through Page 48. Information regarding the Bill of Rights will be found on Pages 485-486.

Question ONE: DESCRIBE "The Framers" of the Constitution. Where did they come from, what types of people were they, what experience did they have?

Question TWO: Why did "The Framers" decide to write a new Constitution?

Question THREE: Describe both sides of the debate and the final compromise in all of the following issues: The Connecticut Compromise, the Three-Fifths Compromise, The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise and the Bill of Rights.

THE ASSIGNMENT, PART TWO-  Illustration of Issues:  To deepen your understanding of one of these issues, you will be illustrating the concepts and points regarding these debates. 

You will be given one of the topics below:

COMPROMISE FOURTH PERIOD SIXTH PERIOD
Virginia Plan/New Jersey Plan- Connecticut Compromise Gaab, Hilligoss, Pigue, Ramirez Anderle, Kaminski, Romero, Trujillo
North/South- Three-fifths Compromise Corliss, Marquez, Price, Villareal Chrysler, Larson, Martinez, Seaton
North/South- Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise Gerzine, Medina, Price-Steinmetz Hasbrouck, Pope, Sameshima, Valentine
Federalists/Anti-Federalists- The Bill of Rights Hernandez, James, White Andersen, Lind, Sampson, Vair-Grilley

Compromise #1: Virginia Plan/New Jersey Plan- The Connecticut Compromise

Compromise #2: North/South- Three-Fifths Compromise

Compromise #3: North/South- Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

Compromise #4: Federalists/Anti-Federalists- Bill of Rights

Complete ONE of the following activities:

  1. Create a POLITICAL CARTOON that illustrates your compromise.
  2. Create a series of THREE ADVERTISEMENTS that encourages readers to believe in the different sides and your final compromise.
  3. Create a DIALOGUE (discussion/argument between two people) or SKIT that relates all of the necessary information about both sides of your compromise and the final solution.
  4. Create a POEM that reviews all of the necessary information regarding your issue.  If you create a HAIKU on your topic, you had better be REALLY GOOD!
  5. A FLASH ANIMATION that reviews all of the information of your issue.
  6. Create a VIDEO/COMMERCIAL/PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT that outlines the issues (I suggest using a script if you take this option!).
  7. Create any other type of CREATIVE VEHICLE that clearly illustrates and educates the points of your issue.  Surprise me!

A WORD ABOUT PART TWO:  We are in a Technology Laboratory.  Almost all of you have had me for SOME class where we learned about use of technological solutions to solve real-world problems.  I fully expect to see these skills in play.  However, I will NOT help with editing or creating this product.  You can refer to online video tutorials if you wish.  DO NOT select a Flash Animation or a Video Presentation if you have no experience or do not remember how to use these media!

If you have had me for Media, Tech and Graphic and turn in a single piece of paper with some pencilled stick figures, expect to fail this assignment!

You will only have ONE FULL class period in which to work on this assignment.  I will, however, be allowing some extra days outside of the classroom to complete the assignment before the products are presented.

GRADING:  I will be reviewing these vehicles in class and discussing your product's merits with everyone.  This assignment will be worth a total of 100 points!