📖

Philadelphia 1787: A Secret Meeting

The Constitutional Convention

Day 101of 180
Week 21of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand why delegates met in Philadelphia in 1787

2

Learn about the purpose of the Constitutional Convention

3

Recognize how people work together to solve complex problems

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 15:22

“Without counsel, plans go wrong; but with many advisers, they are established.”

— Proverbs 15:22 (WEB)

Shows the importance of collaboration and seeking wisdom in decision-making

📦 Materials Needed

  • Large map of the United States
  • Chart paper
  • Colored markers
  • Convention role cards
  • Simple period costume pieces (optional)
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students around the map and explain that in 1787, delegates from different states met in secret in Philadelphia to solve a big problem with their country's government.

💭 Review Question: What do you think it means to have a 'secret meeting'?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain how the original Articles of Confederation weren't working well, and the states needed a better way to work together. The delegates wanted to create a new plan for governing the young United States.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • The meeting was held in Independence Hall
  • Delegates agreed to keep their discussions private
  • They wanted to create a strong but fair government
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why might the delegates want to keep their meeting secret?
  • What challenges do you think they faced?
3Activity: Convention Simulation (10 min)
role-play

Students receive role cards representing different state delegates and must work together to solve a simple problem, demonstrating cooperation

📝 Instructions:
  1. Assign each student a state delegate role
  2. Present a classroom 'problem' to solve
  3. Students must discuss and compromise
  4. Create a group solution
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Teacher guides discussion more closely

Challenge: Students must create written proposal

4Closing (5 min)

Recap how the delegates worked together to create something important for their country

📝 Review Questions:
  • Where did the delegates meet?
  • Why was their meeting important?
  • What did they hope to accomplish?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for giving people wisdom to work together and solve problems. Help us learn to listen to each other and find good solutions.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about James Madison and his important role in creating the Constitution

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 15:22

“Without counsel, plans go wrong; but with many advisers, they are established.”

— Proverbs 15:22 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Pass the Verse: Students pass a small object while repeating the verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The Constitutional Convention was a pivotal moment in American history where delegates redesigned the nation's government system

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Emphasize cooperation over conflict
  • Help children understand complex ideas through simple analogies
  • Encourage questions and curiosity
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find historical details challenging to understand

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Signs of understanding collaborative problem-solving

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Draw a picture of the Convention hall
  • Create a simple timeline of events
  • Research one of the delegates and their background

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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