Grade 5 U.S. Studies (up to 1800)

A forum is a type of online discussion where you have a chance to “speak” with other members of your class under the guidance of your instructor.

In this activity you will be learning how to participate in an online forum discussion by responding to a series of questions about what you have learned so far. Using the information that you learned in all of your activities, complete the forum module by answering the discussion questions below. After you post your responses, please continue the forum discussion by responding to two additional posts.

Please follow the proper forum discussion policies:  Internet Etiquette = Netiquette

1)Be efficient in your posts and emails!
a. Stay on topic!

b. Write clearly, concisely with correct grammar and mechanics (proofread!)

c. Use formatting (bullets, paragraphs, numbering, indents, bolds, etc.) to improve understanding and readability.

d. Post only when you have something significant to contribute to the discussion

e. Avoid “empty” posts such as “I agree” or “cool.” Add to the discussion by explaining why you agree or why you think it’s cool.

f. Post links rather than long, copied passages

g. Use meaningful subject headers and thread topics

2) Maintain academic environment!

a. Use formal and informal styles appropriately

b. Disagree respectfully with the point, not the person

c. Address private disagreements or conflicts privately

d. DON’T USE ALL CAPS! IT’S SHOUTING!  

3) Avoid misunderstandings!

a. Consider your audience – all of it

b. Give others the benefit of the doubt

c. Avoid sarcasm

d. Be extra careful with humor

4) Follow rules and laws!

The Constitutional Convention Simulation

1. Creating the Constitution took a great deal of hard work and compromise.  Today we are going to see what it feels like to try to come up with laws for the Constitution concerning the issues of how states would be represented in the government and the issue of slavery. There were many different opinions and perspectives around what our government should look like. Your goal is to play your assigned roles and create laws that everyone agrees with that can go into the Constitution.

2. Our class will be split  into four equal groups. You will be part of one of the following groups:

   1. The Small States- who will be arguing for the New Jersey Plan

   • The Large States- who will be arguing for the Virginia Plan

   • Southern States- who will be arguing to legally protect the institution of slavery

   • Northern States-who will be arguing against legal protection of slavery

3. Read “Constitution Day Simulation Roles” handout  read through each of the four groups and decide which side you would like to debate for. Next, think about and outline the laws that you would have wished to see in the Constitution if you had this perspective at the time, and be able to explain why they are important.

4. In the forum post your thoughts about a law, why you feel it should becoming a law (according to your choose perspective).

5. Read through other student posts about laws in the forum and respond in either support or debate against other ideas.

6. Next, as offer up a compromise and actual laws that will go into the constitution.  Write any laws that everyone agrees to follow up on the board.  

7. Debrief with the class and discuss the following questions:

• Was this simulation difficult and why?

• If you were able to come to any agreement on laws, how did you do it?

• What did you have to sacrifice in order to create the law?