Research Projects (Biographies)

Research some of the Founding Fathers, also called Framers of the Constitution.  

• First discuss with the group what makes a writing piece a biography.  Give examples if necessary.

• Then as a group, students can decide what questions about the framers they want answered in this research project.

• Students can research the names of the framers at:  Founding Fathers: A Brief Overview .  

• Students will then choose one to research further and write a paper.

• Upon completion, students will share and relate the facts about their person.

• Possible culminating exercises could be visual displays (charts, posters), Power Point presentation, or Wax Museum type portrayal of their person.

 Both of the following authors, Jean Fritz and Elizabeth Levy make the Constitution/Bill of Rights topic very easy for the students to understand.    

Sometimes students like to  act out the Jean Fritz books.  My students especially like to do short plays from the Why Don't You Ride a Horse, Sam Adams?                                                                                    

Another book is Elizabeth Levy's  
if you were there when they signed the Constitution.  

This book answers many questions the children may have regarding this time in history.

is another excellent site for teachers.  This nonprofit group not only provides lesson plans for Bill of Rights' lessons, but also  seeks to educate high school students and teachers about our country’s Founding principles through programs.