About This Lesson
In this 90 minute lesson, students will build SEL skills like self-awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making while understanding and evaluating the concept of federalism as a basic principle of the US Constitution. The lesson begins with a journal prompt to get students thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of handling issues at a local or national level. The class will get a review of the six basic principles of the Constitution, with a focus on federalism. The students will read selected passages, contrasting the views of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Cooperatively, students will analyze a quote from a prominent Federalist or Anti-Federalist, decide which side it is, and share and explain it to the class. Students will then, compare how the early political parties align with the Democrats and Republicans today. Students will write a reflection to empathize and understand what the Founding Fathers went through to shape how our nation runs today. Students will analyze their SEL and group work skills for the activities. The lesson wraps up with an exit ticket to check student understanding on the differences between the Federalist and Anti-Federalists. The lesson includes handouts, rubrics, and answer keys for all activities. This lesson is aligned to the Common Core Standards for History/Social Studies and the Ohio State Standards for American Government.