What Your Child is Learning in Unit 2, "The Constitution of the United States"

In the next few weeks, your child will explore the origins of the United States government. He or she will learn how delegates at the Constitutional Convention participated in a gradual and ongoing process of debate, proposal and compromise. Your child will also realize that the outcome was not inevitable--many events along the way could have changed the course of history.

Activities You Can Do at Home to Support Your Child's Learning

Chapter 3 Toward the Constitution

• Discuss with your child the ways in which citizens' lives are affected by local, state, and national government. For example, you might discuss the ways in which tax dollars are used for public education, road repair, environmental protection, snow removal, or human services. Together, locate newspaper articles that demonstrate ways in which citizens' lives are affected by government funding.

• Work with your child to draw up a "household" government. Together, explore the ideas of representation, funding, and the rights and responsibilities of each family member. Encourage your son or daughter to be attentive to the process of what is involved in reaching decisions or making compromises.

Chapter 4 The Constitutional Convention

• With your child, look for a book in the library written by or about a delegate to the Constitutional Convention which describes behind the scenes experiences. Did the delegate's thinking change as the Convention went on? How?

• Help your child better understand the Bill of Rights. Together, read it and discuss the meaning of some or all of the amendments. Ask your child to state the amendment or amendments in his or her own words. Discuss how these rights have affected your life and the lives of others.