Unit Pack: Early American Government

Unlock the Foundational Debates of the U.S. Constitution with the Ready, Click, Teach Solution. (Instant Digital Download)

How do you create a government strong enough to function but not so strong it becomes a tyranny? The Early American Government Unit Pack, part of The Human History Project’s Ready, Click, Teach series, provides a complete, 6-lesson program that guides middle school and Key Stage 3 students through the critical events, debates, and compromises that built the U.S. governing framework.

This comprehensive, user-friendly digital package is your instant toolkit for teaching this complex topic. Purchase once, and you are licensed to use the pack with all of your students, year after year.

Why Choose This Unit Pack?

Our curriculum is structured to show students the journey from a deliberately weak government to a balanced system, all while building powerful analytical and research skills.

Deepen Historical Understanding

• Big Picture Learning: Students will understand how the fear of authoritarian rule initially led to the weak Articles of Confederation and how the failures of that system—exposed by events like Shays' Rebellion—forced the founders to create a stronger document.
• Comprehensive Coverage: The unit provides detailed lessons on:
  • The structure and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (e.g., no power to tax or enforce laws).
  • The solution of the Three Branches of Government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) and the principle of Checks and Balances.
  • The Great Compromise, which resolved the debate over representation between large and small states (House based on population; Senate with two seats per state).
  • The purpose and protections of the Bill of Rights.
• Key Debates: Students will analyze the different opinions surrounding the US Constitution, setting the stage for their own critical analysis.

Cultivate 21st-Century Skills

The unit features engaging, inquiry-based activities that encourage research, analysis, and effective argumentation.

• Structured Essay & Research: The culminating Unit Project focuses on the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Students must:
  • Describe the main arguments of each side.
  • Analyze how those arguments influenced the final Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
  • Write a well-cited, structured essay using a minimum of three reliable sources, including one primary source.
• Cause & Effect Analysis: Dedicated worksheets on the Articles of Confederation and Shays’ Rebellion prompt students to analyze the causes of historical events and their resulting impact.
• Good Judgment & Evidence: All activities require students to perform guided research and use supporting evidence to draw conclusions.

What’s Included in Your Instant Download?

• Detailed Lesson Plans: A complete 6-class breakdown with learning objectives, new vocabulary, and recommended activities.
• Student Worksheets: Ready-to-print resources including the KWL Template, The Articles of Confederation, Shays’ Rebellion, The Three Branches of U.S. Government, and The US Bill of Rights worksheets.
• Full Unit Assessment: A comprehensive test featuring multiple-choice and critical thinking questions on all unit concepts.
• Unit Revision Guide: A handy summary of all key concepts, compromises, and historical figures for review.
• Project Guide & Rubric: Everything needed to run the Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists project.

Ready to bring clarity and depth to the American founding?

Get your Early American Government Unit Pack today and be ready to click and teach in minutes!