Philadelphia and the Constitutional Convention "Heat Up"
by Tracy Devlin

Background:

Little did William Penn know his plans for a "Great Towne," set up in rectangular form between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers (see original map of Philadelphia here: http://www.swarthmore.edu/Humanities/ kjohnso1/tholmemap.htm), would become the site of some of the most important meetings in our nation’s beginning, including the one that formed our national government. The Constitutional Convention was held in the Pennsylvania State House during the hot summer of 1787. The windows were kept shut and guards posted so that others could not hear the discussions.

For further background about this time in Philadelphia, see Ray Raphael’s article, Revolutionary Philadelphia, in this issue of History Now.

Essential Question:

What impact did the delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia have on shaping our nation's future?

Materials:
  1. Note cards, with delegate’s names and respective states already written on them. Links to bios of each of the delegates can be found here:
    http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/signers.html
  2. Copies of biographies and pictures of the delegates (printed out from the link above)
  3. Art supplies for making portraits of delegates, such as rulers, construction paper, string, tape, stapler, scissors, etc.
  4. Three worksheets: Historical Meet and Greet #1 (pdf), Historical Meet and Greet #2 (pdf), and Historical Meet and Greet #3 (pdf)
  5. The following primary resource maps:
    1. colonial_map.pdf : you can also link to this map at http://www.unalienable.com/colonies.htm
    2. Philadelphia_map.pdf: you can also link to this map at http://memory.loc.gov/learn/community/cc_wethepeople_kit.php
  6. Your winter coat

Day One:

Motivation

  1. As you are wearing your winter coat, pass out delegate note cards as the students walk into the room, but don’t tell them why.
  2. Once all of the students are seated, explain that on these cards are the names of some of the delegates (not all names will be passed out unless you have a very large class) that attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
  3. Give them a minute to read the cards with delegate names and states, and allow them to trade names, either with the leftover cards or with other classmates. ** You still have not revealed why you are wearing a winter coat!
Activity
  1. Pass out the "Historical Meet and Greet" worksheet #1. Read the directions
    to the class.
  2. Pass out biographies from the "Delegates to the Constitutional Convention" website (http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_founding_fathers.html). Make sure that students receive the biography that matches their note card.
  3. Give the class 10-15 minutes to read over their biography and fill in the 8 required facts. You may need to assign step #3 on the worksheet for
    homework. Have portraits and art supplies out for the taking.
  4. Pass out "Historical Meet and Greet" worksheet #2 and primary resource maps.
  5. Read over the directions for "Historical Meet and Greet" worksheet #2.
  6. Give students another 10-15 minutes to work on the map and picture activities.
  7. Finally, ask the students to dress very warmly for the next class and to bring their coats. The goal on the day of the "meet and greet" is for the students to be aware of the incredible heat the delegates had to endure.  This will be evident as the students are working (and most likely complaining)...
Day Two:
  1. Move the desks so that they are in sets of two facing each other. You may need to make some sets of three for odd-numbered classes.
  2. Have students pick a seat and put on their coats. You can finally tell them why (if any get too hot, please have them take off their layers)! They also need to put on their headbands, necklaces, and signs.
  3. Distribute the "Historical Meet and Greet" Worksheet #3 and read the instructions.
  4. Explain that each team will have 5 minutes to share facts with each other.
  5. Have students switch places after about 5 minutes. Continue with this until they have "met" enough of the "delegates" to fill out their worksheets. Independently, have each student fill out the summary information.
  6. Conduct a class discussion on their responses. This is a great way to bring closure and relevance to the activity.
Application Question:

Without these skillful and creative men shaping our nation’s future, what do you think our government would look like today?


© The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, 2007. All Rights Reserved.