Eighth grade historians this week are wrapping up a unit on the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and the Federalist Papers with a project featuring the Amendments to the Constitution. Using primary source excerpts from the Constitution itself, their textbook, and other resources, students are each doing a close study of one Amendment and presenting their findings in poster form to their class. Each poster shares 2-3 paragraphs of details summarizing the Amendment, including when and how it was ratified, what changes it makes to the Constitution, and what rights it gives to the people. Complete with illustrations and these facts, posters will be shared around the room next week (with a voted prize for best presentation of information).
Students on Friday were also completing their End-of-Unit Reflection routine. At the beginning of each unit in 8 History, students individually, and then as a group, generate a list of things they already know about the topics upcoming, as well as questions they hope to answer in the unit. As the unit closes, each student revisits this document to reflect on what they wrote a few weeks ago, to practice their retrieval muscles as they add to the doc what they have learned since. Students shared ideas and reminded each other about pieces of the unit that stood out to them, boosting both their retention of recently learned information as well as their reflective habits of mind and self-assessment. It was fun to hear them discussing their rights, the changes that have surprised them, and ideas they have for perhaps future additions or changes!