ELP                                                                                                                  

Advertising the Constitution Project

 

Overview 

Students will assume the role of advertiser.  Your job will be similar to that of Federalists Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay - namely, you will be asked to create an advertisement promoting the Constitution.  Students will create either a broadcast or print advertisement describing its virtues, explaining its contents and its benefits, responding to the criticisms of the Anti-Federalists, showing its advantages over the Articles of Confederation, and thereby "selling" it to a somewhat skeptical public.

 

Procedures

1.       Either individually or in a group with as many as 3 people, construct an advertisement promoting the Constitution.

 

2.       The ad may take the following form…

  1. TV commercial (2-4 minutes)

¨       May be taped outside of class

  1. Radio commercial (2-4 minutes)

¨       May be taped outside of class

  1. Skit with visual
  2. Print ad (magazine or newspaper ad)

¨       print ads may be constructed on poster board, construction paper, or unlined white paper

 

3.       Each advertisement MUST address the following…

  1. a description of the power and responsibilities of the 3 branches of government

¨       at least 1 major duty/role of each branch

  1. an explanation of the system of checks and balances and the benefits of such a system
  2. an explanation of why this document is an improvement over the Articles of Confederation
  3. a guarantee that the document can be changed as necessary - possibly to include a Bill of Rights
  4. general arguments for why the people should ratify it (you could possibly remind the public of life under the Articles of Confederation)

 

¨       Each advertisement must be organized and visually appealing (neatness does count)

¨       While pictures are optional and would earn some extra points, a creative design IS expected

¨       Any TV or radio advertisement must be of high quality - visually and acoustically

 

Possible Materials Needed (* = provided by Mr. Lane)

  Textbook, Federalist/Anti-Federalist Handout, Homework from 9/24 (A Day) or 9/25 (B)

*Construction Paper

*Unlined White Paper

*Markers, Scissors, Glue, Tape

  Access to video/audio equipment

 

WHAT TO DO TODAY!!

By the end of class today, each student/group MUST have a detailed outline of the advertisement.  Organize your outline according to the components listed in #3 above.  Each student/group will be required to show the outline to the teacher by the end of class.

 

Reminders

1.       Pick your partner(s) wisely.  They will have an impact on your grade J L

2.       Participation grades are recorded during individual and group activities.  Therefore, please be sure to follow directions and use your time wisely……..and participate!!