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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8th 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. Make references to the Constitution and explain their relationship to the groups involved with this issue.
  3. Develop a position on the issue that attempts to balance individual rights and the common good.
  4. Make explicit references within the text to sources that provide relevant information and/or support for the position on the issue.

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 Critical Thinking 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