Frank Romeo
EDU 551-50
10th Grade United States History: Federalism vs. State’s Rights
Unit of Study: Federalism vs. State’s Rights
The unit on Federalist v. Anti-Federalists (State’s Rights) for grade 10 will be supplemented by the following three books, which describe the struggles between the Federal government and State power in the United States. In addition, students will examine and interpret various primary sources, including speeches and documents to determine their political origins and impact. This unit takes place within a 10th grade U.S. History class with average ability level students.
1. Trade Book: The Best American History Book.
ISBN-10: 0595284795: Reading level: Ages 9-12
Flesch Kincaid Readability grade-level estimate from Word ’07: 7.0
Burnett, E. (2003). The Best American History Book. Lincoln, NE: iUniverse, Inc.
This trade book was written by Eric Burnett, currently a teacher at the Singapore American School. The book includes a variety ofeasy to read charts, various primary source illustrations and documents, and academic level appropriate summaries, questions and activities. In addition, the book includes sections (sub-chapters) to assist in breaking down different time periods and events. I teach in a 10th grade remedial class and this book would fit nicely into our curriculum. This book would be a great supplement to journal articles, various primary sources and period pieces written by those who lived history. The book was written for and by high school students. However, the book does contain some flaws, including wrong information, some grammar mistakes, it can be a bit monotonous and may not be as challenging in some chapters.
One of the most confusing and challenging topics to cover in U.S. History is the ratification and signing of the Declaration of Independence. Students often have a difficult time understanding and comprehending the ratification process and the emergence of the political differences between the Federalists (strong central government) and Anti-Federalists (weak central government or state’s rights). This book does an excellent job of breaking down the process and provides a very easy and fluent explanation of those differences. I actually experimented with the book in my remedial class and the students appeared to enjoy and grasp the concepts easier. In addition, the simplistic but informative breakdown of the ratification process and argument of weak vs. a strong central government is age/academic level appropriate.
2. Trade Book: The Great Decision.
ISBN-10: 1586484265
Flesch Kincaid Readability estimate grade-level from Word ’07: 11.5
McKean, D. (2009). The Great Decision. New York, NY: Public Affairs: Perseus Books Group.
This trade book is an excellent source concerning the topic of state’s rights versus the Federal government and the battle for the Supreme Court. The book discusses the presidencies of John Adams, a Federalist, Thomas Jefferson, an Anti-Federalist and Jefferson’s cousin, John Marshall a staunch Federalist and Supreme Court Justice. David McKean pens a fluent and informative account of the beginning of the Supreme Court, the ratification of the Constitution and epic battle of state versus federal power. McKean breaks down the famous Supreme Court case in 1803, Marbury vs. Madison and examines the historically political implications and impact of this landmark case. The court case of Marbury vs. Madison is one of the most essential keys to understanding the idea of separation of powers that the United States Government was founded on.
This trade book would be an excellent supplementary reading source for teaching the basic government principle of separation of powers and Federalism versus Anti-Federalism. In addition, the book stresses the national emergence of the Supreme Court as a separate but equal branch of the national government. No other text book that I have used has even stresses the historic importance and significance of this historic landmark case. The Great Decision contains many primary source documents, including speeches, letters and official government documents concerning the ratification process, the signing of the Constitution and the political thoughts and ideas of several founding fathers including Jefferson and Adams. These sources are great teaching tools and will be used to reinforce our textbook and journal articles.
3. Trade Book: Homework Helpers: U.S. History (1865-present.
ISBN-10: 1564149188
Flesch Kincaid Readability estimate grade-level from Word ’07: 11.6
Princeton Review. (2007). Homework Helpers: U.S. History (1865- present): From Reconstruction Through the Dawn of the 21st Century. Franklin Lakes, NJ: The Career Press.
Another great time period in history that illustrates the struggles of state versus federal power is the Reconstruction Era directly following the American Civil War. The introduction of the Wade-Davis a bill, legislation calling for military governors of those states in rebellion was another political argument concerning state rights versus the national government. The Reconstruction Era is riddled with examples of the fight for a separation of powers and executive control of the returning states. Homework Helpers is an excellent and informative source for students as a supplementary text. The book begins most sections with a time-line and brief description of that era. In addition, the book includes a “trends and themes” write-up of the era. This is a great way to introduce a new topic into your lesson.
I would use the “trends and themes” section along with the “Reconstruction-era Legislative Acts at a Glance” on page 22 to introduce and reinforce the concepts of ratification and separation of powers between the branches of government. This section outlines the legislative act, what it provided and its lasting impact. This chart is an excellent reinforcement tool and visual aid for the students. The end of the section includes a test review with multiple choices, matching and short answer questions. These questions will serve as review and study guide questions for upcoming exams and assessments. I really like the structure of this book, the informative and easy to follow sections along with the chart, graphs and maps that are accompany each section. This illustrations can be used for my visual learners and provide secondary reinforcement.
4. Website: Give Me Liberty: An American History
Give Me Liberty: An American History. W. W. Norton & Company Study Space. Retrieved from: http://www.wwnorton.com/college/history/foner2/welcome.asp
This website would be a great supplement for this unit on ratification, the constitution and Federal vs. State’s rights. This website includes many primary source documents, images and audio/video links for the students to utilize. For example, Voices of Freedom: From James Madison, The Federalist no. 51, and Anti-Federalist Essay Signed "Brutus" (1787) is an excellent audio of a primary source to reinforce the argument of ratification between the Federalist and Anti-Federalist.
Students can go onto the website, download or listen to, watch or read primary source documents and complete a worksheet that can be emailed directly to me. There is no paper involved and no chance of losing the worksheet. In addition, students can take a multiple choice or true/false quiz to reinforce what they have learned. Lastly, the website provides students with the possibility of constructing virtual “Index Cards”. The students can also use an iMap and worksheet to reinforce the lesson. I love this website and use it often. The students like the idea of emailing their work and getting familiar with and using many primary sources.
5. Website: National Archives. Teaching Sources. Retrieved from: http://www.archives.gov/
This website is maintained by the National Archive and Administration Records department. I have the students research this website for "official" US Government documents such as the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights....etc. In addition, the students can research or meet the "Founding Fathers", research questions about the documents and study the process behind ratification and the passing of constitutional amendments. Each year, students have to present a project about the amendments, Bill of Rights and the process of ratification. This website gives the students an in-depth look into that process. We use this site for the "Primary Source" portion of the lesson and their projects.
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