Washington State
Curriculum Based Assessment [CBA] Links to the National Archives and Records Administration's Primary Documents located at [web]www.ourdocuments.gov
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10th-11th Grade

Constitutional Issues (Civics)

Student assignment:

In a persuasive paper or presentation, you will:

  1. Select an issue and explain how the issue connects with democratic ideals and/or constitutional principles.
  2. Evaluate other points of view on this issue.
  3. Explain how court cases and/or government policies affect the interpretation of rights involved with this issue using specific references.
  4. Develop a position on the issue that analyzes how individual rights and the common good can be balanced in relation to the issue.
  5. Provide accurate reasons to support your position.

The persuasive paper may take any of a variety of forms, e.g., essay, letter, journal entry, newspaper article.

Primary source documents from "Our Documents, 100 Milestone Source Documents from the National Archives and Records Administration," relating to this Curriculum Based Assessment [CBA]:

Important notes for using this section:

  • Following each sub-topic is a list representing specific documents that are believed to best illustrate a topic. Each document is linked to an interactive digital copy of the record itself, complete with description, background information, a transcribed copy [for convenience and for students having difficulty reading handwriting] and teaching suggestions, from the "Our Documents" web site [see [web]www.ourdocuments.gov]. Just click on the document title and it will take you to the specific "Our Documents" page.
  • In addition, there is a "Document Only" link which can be used in classrooms with fewer web connections. This is an "Adobe Acrobat" [.pdf] file and can be opened in advance and copied by the instructor or student directly, without a web connection, on any type of computer, as long as Adobe Acrobat is loaded on the computer. For a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat program [web]click here.

Sample Topics and Associated Primary Sources:

Development of the United States Constitution

The US Constitution

(Some) Amendments to the US Constitution

The Federalist / Anti-Federalist Movement

Struggle Over the Structure of Government

Regulation of Trade

Individual Rights

Land

Associated Washington State Standards {EALR}

  • Civics 1.1.2b: Explain specific rights guaranteed by the Constitution and how these rights are related to responsibilities.
  • Civics 4.1.2a: Explain how responsibility to the common good might conflict with the exercise of individual rights.
  • Civics 1.2.2a: Explain key democratic ideals of the U.S. government and discuss their application in specific situations.
  • Social Studies Inquiry and Information Skills 3.1.3a: Identify central issue; formulate appropriate questions; identify multiple perspectives; compare and contrast; validate date using multiple sources; determine relevant information; paraphrase problem.

Scoring
EALR Scoring
(*for additional levels, see OSPI Scoring Rubric)
Civics 1.1.2b *at highest level... Accurately makes two (or more) references to the Constitution and explains their relationship to the position of groups involved with this issue.
Civics 4.1.2a *at highest level... States a reasonable position on the issue that attempts to balance individual rights and the common good.
Civics 1.2.2a *at highest level... Clearly and accurately explains how issue connects with two (or more) explicitly stated democratic ideals and/or constitutional principles.
Social Studies Critical Thinking Skills 3.1.3a *at highest level... Makes explicit references within the text to four sources that provide relevant information and/or support for the position on the issue.
National Archives and Records Administration
6125 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
http://www.archives.gov/pacific-alaska