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Ratification Complete

Ratifying the Constitution

Day 115of 180
Week 23of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand how the US Constitution was officially adopted

2

Learn about the state-by-state ratification process

3

Recognize the importance of compromise in government

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 15:22

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

— Proverbs 15:22 (WEB)

Shows the importance of listening to different perspectives, just like in the Constitutional ratification process

📦 Materials Needed

  • Large US map
  • Colored stickers or markers
  • Timeline poster board
  • Colored pencils
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Review the week's learning about the Constitution's ratification. Show students a large US map and explain how each state had to vote to approve the new government.

💭 Review Question: What were the two main groups discussing the Constitution?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain how the Constitution needed 9 out of 13 states to ratify (approve) it to become the official government document. Delaware was the first state to ratify on December 7, 1787, and New Hampshire was the crucial ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Not all states agreed right away
  • Some wanted changes before agreeing
  • Compromise was key to success
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why do you think some states were hesitant to approve the Constitution?
  • How is making group decisions similar to how the states worked together?
3Activity: Ratification Map Activity (10 min)
hands-on

Students will create a visual representation of the ratification process on a large US map.

📝 Instructions:
  1. Place a green sticker on states that ratified quickly
  2. Place a yellow sticker on states that took more time
  3. Draw a timeline showing when each state joined
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use pre-made stickers with dates

Challenge: Research specific debates in each state's ratification process

4Closing (5 min)

Summarize how the states worked together to create a new government

📝 Review Questions:
  • How many states needed to approve the Constitution?
  • What made the ratification process important?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for giving wisdom to the founders who worked together to create a fair government. Help us to listen to one another and work together in love.

Coming up: Next week, we'll learn about the first presidents of the United States

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 15:22

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

— Proverbs 15:22 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Create hand motions to represent different advisers coming together

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The ratification process showed how different states and groups had to compromise to form the United States government.

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Emphasize the importance of listening to different viewpoints
  • Help children understand that working together takes patience
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find the historical details complicated

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Understanding that creating a government requires cooperation

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a play acting out the ratification debates
  • Research one state's specific ratification story
  • Draw a comic strip about the Constitution's adoption

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 116 →Back to History & Social Studies