Grade 8: The Preamble to the Constitution—A Close Reading Lesson
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http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/preamble-constitution-close-reading-lesson#sect-introduction
Common Core Standards
College and Career Readiness Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1 Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
Literacy in History/Social Studies
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.6 Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author’s point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.10 By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Description of Lesson
This two day lesson titled “The Preamble to the Constitution—A Close Reading Lesson” is from EDSITEment.neh.gov (National Endowment for the Humanities). In this lesson plan, students practice a close reading and an analysis of the Preamble and related historic documents to form an understanding of how they reflect the ideas of the framers of the Constitution about the foundation and historical aims of government. The culminating lesson task is for students to use text evidence to write a well-constructed essay to show how the word choices and the structure of the Preamble show how the Constitution is different from the Articles of Confederation.
Cautions
Connecticut teachers should be cautioned that the activities as described would be difficult to complete in two class periods and still achieve the rigor intended. The plan should include more scaffolding, teacher modeling, and discreet skill instruction, especially for students who are ELL, have disabilities, or read well below the grade-level text band. No aligned rubrics or assessment guidelines are provided to elicit direct, observable evidence to the degree to which a student can independently demonstrate the major targeted grade-level Common Core standards.
Rationale for Selection
This lesson plan is a useful example of how to cultivate student interest and engagement in a topic as they build background knowledge. Instructional activities have a clear and explicit purpose. The plan includes a list of resources, preparation materials, instructional tips and extension activities.