Student Information
 

Roles:

The Producer:  You are to keep the group focused and on task.  Make sure the members understand the task and work to complete it.

The Director:  You understand the need to collaborate and facilitate discussion and consensus.

The Editor:  You understand the importance of higher level thinking.  You understand that this project requires team members to analyze information and show some creative expression.

The F/X Specialist:  You love to use the Internet, and technology in general.  You love to download images and animations, use colors and backgrounds and know at least a little about a lot of software.  You help determine the best vehicle or software to complete the project for presentation to the instructor and class.


 

The Quest  (choose one)

You find yourself in late 18th century United States.  Everything is just like you learned in Social Studies class, except many of the technologies of today exist.  You will assume one of the following roles:

1.      You are one of the 55 delegates selected to represent your state at the Constitutional Convention.

2.      You are a reporter assigned to cover the Constitutional Convention.

3.      You are a public relations person hired by the delegates who wish to convince other delegates to ratify the new constitution or to convince the population of the states to encourage their delegates to support ratification.


The Task  (choose based on above)

1.   You and your team are the delegates from ________________ (pick state or teacher assign).  You have each been asked to appear on a local talk show to present your position on the proposed Constitution.  Choose one of the following:

Prepare a handout for the talk show host with a brief biography and position for each member of your delegation.  Include:

State represented.

A picture if available.

A biographical sketch for each member which includes birthplace, and family and economic background.

The reasons each delegate supports or opposes ratifying the Constitution in bullet form.

OR

      You temporarily get called back to your home state on an emergency, and will not be able to attend the talk show.  Prepare a video presentation to be aired on the talk show in your absence.  Include all of the information above.


2.      You have been assigned to cover the Constitutional Convention for the Philadelphia Gazette. 

      Create a 1-2 page newsletter using a desktop publishing or word processing program.  Write an article (or articles) about the Convention.  Include:

The number of delegates originally selected to the Convention.

The state(s), if any, that did not send any delegates.

The number of delegates who actually attended, and number who never attended.

The oldest and youngest delegates and their ages.

The professional and societal backgrounds of the delegates.

The number of delegates who signed the Constitution.

The names of prominent delegates who voted for the Constitution and their reasons for doing so.

The names of prominent delegates who failed to vote for the Constitution and their reasons for doing so.

Pictures and/or graphics to enhance your article.


3.      Your public relations firm feels the best way to win support for the proposed Constitution is to inform the delegates who do not presently support ratification, and the population in general. 

Create four-page brochure/pamphlet (8.5” X 11” page folded landscape) in a desktop publishing or word processing program to gain support for ratification. Include the following:

An eye-catching cover

Highlight the reasons for ratifying the Constitution on the next 2-3 pages (back cover optional).  Include credits/supporting state names on back cover.

A minimum of three images (clip art, digital images, etc.) to emphasize points stressed by prominent delegates.    

Font style and size to enhance your publication.

OR

Create a 60-second video commercial to be shown on national television.  The commercial should highlight points of the proposed Constitution and influence the population to contact their delegates to ratify it.

      OR

Create a web site to inform the public about the proposed Constitution and win support for ratification.  The web site could be a vehicle for the public to express their sentiment for ratification, or to contact their delegates.