Unit 5: The American Revolution
In this unit we will discover what happened as tensions grew between the colonies and the government in far-off England. We will then meet the people who would rather risk their lives than give up their rights. In our study of the Declaration of Independence we will examine the events that led the colonists to declare their independence. We will also witness the brave individuals who created a document that changed the world. Lastly, we will relive the challenges faced by poorly trained and ill-equipped soldiers locked in a war with the most powerful nation in the world. We will also learn how the colonies won the revolution and their independence from Great Britain.
Unit 6: American Constitution and the Federalist Era
In this unit we will share the frustrations of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention as they struggled to organize a new government. We will recognize the compromises they made for the sake of presenting a united plan. We will also discuss why the Constitution has endured (lasted) for 200 years of extreme social change. We wille examine this document that describes the organization and powers of the national government and its unique system of checks and balances. Lastly, we will explore the power of the first ten amendments to the Constitution (The Bill of Rights). We will learn how they are used by the Supreme Court to protect the basic freedoms we enjoy in our lives.