Convention Crisis Sub Plan Convention Crisis Sub Plan
Topic: Debates of the Constitutional Convention
47 MIN PERIOD
Pacing
0-5: Intro & Distribution5-20: Independent Reading20-40: Timeline & Activity40-47: Exit Reflection
Materials
• "Convention Chronicles" Sheet
Goal
Students will identify the major conflicts between large and small states and the compromises that followed.
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction (5 mins)
Briefly explain that today students are "traveling" to 1787 Philadelphia. The Articles of Confederation have failed, and the delegates are arguing about how much power each state should have. Hand out the Convention Chronicles Worksheet .
2
Active Reading (15 mins)
Students read "The Great Debate" section. Encourage them to underline or highlight the differences between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. This is independent work.
3
Timeline & Comparisons (20 mins)
Students complete the back side of the worksheet. They must sequence the events leading to the Constitution and complete the "Battle of the Plans" table. If students struggle with the timeline, remind them to look for dates in the reading.
4
Exit Reflection (7 mins)
Students answer the "Final Verdict" question at the bottom of the worksheet. Collect the papers before the bell rings.
Substitute Teacher Notes:
Early Finishers: Have them write a 3-sentence letter from the perspective of a delegate from a small state (like Rhode Island) explaining why they fear the Virginia Plan.Struggling Readers: You may read the first three paragraphs aloud to the class to get them started, then let them work on the activities.No Tech: Remind students that cell phones should remain put away; all information needed is on the paper. Convention Crisis Slides Philadelphia • 1787
Convention Crisis
The Great Debate Over American Power
Today's Mission
Learning Target
I will explain the differences between the Virginia and New Jersey plans and how the Great Compromise resolved the conflict.
Essential Question
How did delegates balance the power of large and small states to create a lasting government?
The Context: Summer 1787
A Failing System
The Articles of Confederation were too weak. The government couldn't tax or settle disputes.
The Gathering
55 delegates met in Philadelphia to "fix" the system, but quickly decided to scrap it and start over.
Independence Hall, Philadelphia
The Representation Crisis
The biggest argument was not about "what" the laws should be, but "who" should have the power to make them.
Large States
Wanted power based on Population . More people = More votes.
Small States
Wanted power based on Equality . Every state gets 1 vote.
THE LARGE STATE VISION
The Virginia Plan
Proposed by James Madison
Bicameral (Two Houses)
Key Point:
The number of representatives for each state would be based on its population .
BIG
POPULATION
EQUAL
VOTING
THE SMALL STATE VISION
The New Jersey Plan
Proposed by William Paterson
Unicameral (One House)
Key Point:
Each state should have equal power , regardless of size or population.
The Great Compromise
The Solution by Roger Sherman
House of Representatives
Satisfied the Large States
Votes based on Population .
The Senate
Satisfied the Small States
Every state gets Two Votes .
Mission Part 1:
Active Reading
15:00
Timer
1
Read "Part I: The Great Debate" on your worksheet.
2
Underline the key differences between the Virginia and New Jersey plans.
Look for: Who proposed each plan? What was the outcome?
Mission Part 2:
The Chronicles
20:00
Timer
Section A: Chronology
Put the events in order from 1 to 5. Look for dates in the reading!
Section B: The Battle
Compare the features of both plans in the table. Be specific.
Work Independently
Refer back to the text to find your evidence!
The Final Verdict
"Which plan—Virginia or New Jersey—was fairer? Explain why."
Exit Reflection
Write your response at the bottom of your worksheet before you leave!
Convention Chronicles Worksheet The Convention Chronicles
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Summer of 1787
NAME:
DATE:
Part I: The Great Debate
By May 1787, the United States was in trouble. The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, a weak set of rules that gave too much power to individual states and not enough to the national government. The government couldn't collect taxes or regulate trade. To fix this, 55 delegates met in Philadelphia.
Almost immediately, the meeting turned from "fixing" the old rules to "creating" brand new ones.
The biggest argument was about representation: How many votes should each state get? This divided the convention into two sides: Large States and Small States.
James Madison proposed the Virginia Plan. He argued that representatives should be based on population. This meant big states would have many more votes. Naturally, the large states loved this.
Small states were furious. William Paterson responded with the New Jersey Plan. He argued that every state should have equal power, regardless of size. Under this plan, tiny Delaware would have the same number of votes as massive Pennsylvania.
Tempers flared. Finally, Roger Sherman proposed the Great Compromise. He suggested a "bicameral" (two-house) legislature. In one house (the House of Representatives), votes would be based on population. In the other (the Senate), every state would get exactly two votes.
Part II: The Road to the Constitution
A. CHRONOLOGY: Number the events from 1 to 5 in order.
The Great Compromise is accepted, combining the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.
The United States wins its independence from Great Britain (Treaty of Paris).
James Madison proposes the Virginia Plan, favoring large states.
The Articles of Confederation are written, creating a weak national government.
Delegates meet in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention.
B. THE BATTLE OF PLANS: Fill in the missing pieces of the debate.
Feature Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan Who liked it? Representation? Legislature Type? Two Houses
Final Verdict:
The Great Compromise created the Senate and the House. In your opinion, which plan—Virginia or New Jersey—was "fairer"? Explain why.
Convention Crisis Slides Revised Philadelphia • 1787
Convention Crisis
The Great Debate Over American Power
Today's Mission
Learning Target
I can identify the major conflicts between large and small states and explain how the Great Compromise resolved them.
Essential Question
How did delegates balance the power of large and small states to create a lasting government?
The Context: Summer 1787
A Failing System
The Articles of Confederation were too weak. The government couldn't tax or settle disputes.
The Gathering
55 delegates met in Philadelphia to "fix" the system, but quickly decided to scrap it and start over.
Independence Hall, Philadelphia
The Representation Crisis
The biggest argument was not about "what" the laws should be, but "who" should have the power to make them.
Large States
Wanted power based on Population . More people = More votes.
Small States
Wanted power based on Equality . Every state gets 1 vote.
THE LARGE STATE VISION
Virginia Plan
Proposed by James Madison
Bicameral (Two Houses)
The Argument:
Representation must be based on population . Big states deserve more influence.
BIG
Population
EQUAL
Power
THE SMALL STATE VISION
New Jersey Plan
Proposed by William Paterson
Unicameral (One House)
The Argument:
Each state should have equal power , regardless of size. No state should be "bullied" by others.
The Great Compromise
The Solution by Roger Sherman
House of Representatives
Satisfied the Large States
Votes based on Population .
The Senate
Satisfied the Small States
Every state gets Two Votes .
Step 2: Active Reading
Instructional Flow Phase: Independent Work
15:00
Reading Timer
Convention Chronicles Answer Key Answer Key
Convention Chronicles • Teacher Reference
Part II: Chronology
5
The Great Compromise is accepted, combining the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.
1
The United States wins its independence from Great Britain (Treaty of Paris).
4
James Madison proposes the Virginia Plan, favoring large states.
2
The Articles of Confederation are written, creating a weak national government.
3
Delegates meet in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention.
Part II: The Battle of Plans
Feature Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan Who liked it? Large States (e.g., Virginia, Pennsylvania) Small States (e.g., New Jersey, Delaware) Power Determination? Based on Population (More people = More votes) Equal Representation (1 vote per state) Number of Houses? Two (Bicameral) One (Unicameral)
Reflection Grading Note:
For the "Final Verdict" question, there is no single correct answer. Evaluate students based on their ability to justify their choice using historical reasoning.
Virginia Plan arguments: Usually focus on democratic principles—the idea that every individual's vote should carry equal weight.
New Jersey Plan arguments: Usually focus on state sovereignty—the idea that the states were equal partners in the union and deserved protection from larger neighbors.
