Social Studies - 5th Grade (2024)
Lesson Plans

Strand 3: United States Government and Citizenship

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the Constitution and its relevance in their lives, including the Bill of Rights, the branches of government, and how the Constitution has changed and been interpreted over time.

Compelling Questions

• What civil rights and liberties are included in the Constitution and Bill of Rights?
• How have the rights and liberties in the Constitution been interpreted and applied to different groups over time?
• What is the purpose of the three branches of government, and how do they interact?

Standard 5.3.1

Use examples from the Constitution to investigate and explain the development, general purpose, and significant foundational principles of the United States government (a compound constitutional republic), as well as earlier documents and philosophies used to help develop the Constitution (for example, the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, Articles of Confederation, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy).

• American Founders and Constitution Month Constitutional Fitness
  This is an optional program for use by Utah LEAs, schools, and teachers to observe Founders Month and Consitution Day. It aligns with and supports mastery of many Utah Core Social Studies Standards in grade K-5. Standards alignment is provided, along with resources for possible use.
• Constitution Day Rap
  This lesson introduces students to important facts about the Constitution and its history. Students create a thirteen-star flag and read or perform the Constitution Day Rap.
• How a Bill Becomes a Law
  After completing several activities students will be able to explain how a bill becomes a law.Enduring Understanding:The constitution established principles that guides the government decision making ability providing the framework through which we can evaluate our nation's progress and suggest means for improvement.
• Mayflower Compact
  After analyzing the Mayflower Compact students will use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast Colony Constitutions.Enduring Understanding: Students will analyze and compare how the exploration and colonization of North America transformed human history.
• The Constitution: The Country's Rules
  In this lesson, students develop an awareness of the Constitution by exploring what it is and why it is important. Students examine their classroom rules poster as an introduction to the concept of rules and learn that the Constitution is the law of the United States.
• U.S. and Utah Constitution Comparison
  This lesson is designed to be a compare-and-contrast reading activity using the Utah and U.S. Constitutions.

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Robert  Austin and see the Social Studies website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.