“Shh! We’re
Writing the
Constitution!”
Ms. Mercer Fifth Grade Nicholas Elementary
Spelling Words1. caring2. writing3. liking4. smiling5. staring6. icing7. owned8. grading9. chimed10. shaky
11. behaved12. escaping13. polluted14. puzzling15. twinkling16. united17. described18. revising19. arrived20. draped
Word Knowledge
What is the pattern?
coming
contributing
existing
running
Word Knowledge
What is the pattern?
coming
contributing
existing
running
The pattern is stressed –ing endings
coming
contributing
existing
running
Word Knowledge
What is the pattern?
time
arrived
pride
decide
Word Knowledge
What is the pattern?
time
arrived
pride
decide
The pattern is long /ī/ sound
time
arrived
pride
decide
Word Knowledge
What is the pattern?
conform
confederation
conjoin
concurrent
Word Knowledge
What is the pattern?
conform
confederation
conjoin
concurrent
The pattern is the con- prefix (it means with)
conform
confederation
conjoin
concurrent
Word Knowledge
What is the pattern?
united
described
revising
draped
Word Knowledge
What is the pattern?
united
described
revising
draped
The pattern is dropped e with suffix
united
described
revising
draped
Sentences
She will be contributing to the existing fund.
He will decide when the time has arrived.
Members agreed to conform with the laws set forth by the confederation.
When the last delegate arrived, they united to discuss and write the Constitution.
Vocabulary
• nation • confederation • convention • constitution• federal
nation• The last thing they wanted was to become
a nation. They were the citizens of their own separate states, just as they had always been.
• The people of the nation gather together to celebrate their unity.
nation• The last thing they wanted was to become
a nation. They were the citizens of their own separate states, just as they had always been.
• The people of the nation gather together to celebrate their unity.
a group of people living in a particular area under one government
confederation
• So the Congress wrote the Articles of Confederation which outlined rules for a “firm league of friendship.”
• The confederation of Southern states fought against the North in the Civil War.
confederation
• So the Congress wrote the Articles of Confederation which outlined rules for a “firm league of friendship.”
• The confederation of Southern states fought against the North in the Civil War.
the act of joining states together for a common purpose
convention• In 1786, these men, among others,
suggested to the Congress that all the states send delegates to a Grand Convention in Philadelphia to improve the existing form of government.
• My mom attended a convention for lawyers.
convention• In 1786, these men, among others,
suggested to the Congress that all the states send delegates to a Grand Convention in Philadelphia to improve the existing form of government.
• My mom attended a convention for lawyers.
a formal meeting for some special purpose
constitution• They didn’t call the document they were
working on a “constitution”; they referred to it as “the plan.”
• While in court, the lawyer cited the Constitution.
constitution• They didn’t call the document they were
working on a “constitution”; they referred to it as “the plan.”
• While in court, the lawyer cited the Constitution.
the basic principles used to govern a state, country, or organization
federal• Because they knew that the country was sensitive
to the word “national”, they tried to stick to “federal”, a word they were used to and one which didn’t reduce the power of the states.
• Some people think that money for schools should come from the federal government, not the local government.
federal• Because they knew that the country was sensitive
to the word “national”, they tried to stick to “federal”, a word they were used to and one which didn’t reduce the power of the states.
• Some people think that money for schools should come from the federal government, not the local government.
formed by an agreement of states or provinces to join together as one nation
BackgroundGeorge Washington (1732-1799) served as commander in chief the
American army during the Revolution. He then went on to become the first American president, serving from 1789-1797.
Background
Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) served as the U.S. secretary of the treasury from 1789-1795. He worked to improve industry, increase trade, and build a strong central government.
Background
James Madison (1755-1804) served as secretary of state and later became the fourth United States president. He was nicknamed “the Father of the U.S. Constitution,” and he sponsored the Bill of Rights.
Background
Edmund Randolph (1753-1813) went on to become the attorney general and secretary of state under Washington.
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