The U.S. Constitution Newspaper Project
For our unit on the U.S. Constitution, you will be creating a newspaper as an ending
activity. This newspaper will be comprised of a number of articles related to topics that
we will be learning about the unit. For the next several weeks, you will have a newspaper
article or a feature due each Thursday. At the end of the unit all articles will be placed on
a poster board to create a newspaper published during the Constitutional Convention.
Each article you write should be historically accurate and written from the perspective of
someone living during that time period in U.S. history.
Newspaper Article Requirements:
Each article must have• By: your name
• Be typed if possible with Times New Roman or Arial Print and
size 12
• Time period is from 1787 through the addition of the Bill of Rights
in 1791
• If not typed use blue or black ink
•
Newspaper Feature Requirements:
A newspaper not only consists of articles, but also advertisements, political
cartoons, comic strips, and other features. You have to include5 different types of these
newspaper features.
Choose 5 of the following features:
1. Editorial: The author writes an article expressing his or her
opinion on a particular issue
*Include a title that grabs the readers’ attention
2. Comic Strip: A series of drawings that depict an event from
history in a humorous way
*Include a title for your comic
*You must draw pictures, color and have at least 3 boxes
3. Political Cartoon: A cartoon drawing that presents a political
figure or issue in a comedic or sarcastic manner
*Title for your political cartoon
*Must be colored
4. Advertisement: An announcement for a product used during
early American history
*Include a picture
*Have a catchy slogan to convince the reader to buy
*Must be colored
5. Obituary: An announcement of the death of an important figure
in early U.S. history (preferably a founding father)
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*Include details on who they were and their
accomplishments
*Title: should include the person’s name followed by the
word “Dies”
*Picture if available
6. Small word search: Use 5-8 terms
*Must show word list
7. Crossword: Use 5-8 terms
*definitions and the actual crossword chart
8. 10 Fact Questions: Have a trivial section using your facts
9. Help Wanted: Place ads showing job openings
10. Recipe: Write a recipe- something that the colonials would eat
*Must list ingredients and how to directions.
Final Product:
-Title of newspaper in very large letters at the top—BE CREATIVE
-Date of publications- You must choose dates from 1787 to 1791
-Four newspaper articles
-Five newspaper feature choices
Articles: You must have a topic sentence, 5-7 sentences including facts and
information, and a conclusion statement that brings your article to a close.
List of Articles:
***Choose one from each article
Article One:
1. Constitutional Convention and the compromises (3/5ths, The Great)
2. The Preamble and its goals
3. Founding Fathers
Due Date: October 31
4. James Madison
Article Two:
1. The Federalist Papers
2. The Anti-federalist Argument
3. The Federalists Argument
4. Federalism
Article Three:
1. The Bill of Rights
2. The First Amendment
3. Separation of Powers
Article Four:
1. The most important Amendment
2. Responsibilities as a U.S. Citizen
3. The Electoral College
Due Date: November 7
Due Date: November 14
Due Date: November 21
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THE MOST CREATIVE NEWSPAPER
ASSIGNMENT FROM EACH 8TH GRADE
HISTORY PERIOD WILL BE ENTERED INTO
A SCHOOLWIDE CONTEST.
PRIZE CATEGORIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
•
•
•
•
1ST PLACE $50
2ND PLACE $25
3RD PLACE $10
THE REMAINING SUBMITTED POSTERS
WILL RECEIVE AN “HONORABLE
MENTION” PRIZE.
**We hope that you put great effort into this
assignment and look forward to your final products.
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The U.S. Constitution Project Grading Rubric
Newspaper Deadlines
Met all 8 deadlines
5 points each
Individual assignments:
Assignment #1 article
Due: __________
Feature Assignment #1
Due: __________
Assignment #2 article
Due: __________
Feature Assignment #2
Due: __________
Assignment #3 article
Due: ___________
Feature Assignment #3
Due: ___________
Assignment #4 article
Due: ___________
Feature Assignment #4
Due: ___________
_____________ / 40 Points
_____________ / 10 Points
_____________ / 10 Points
_____________ / 10 Points
_____________ / 10 Points
_____________ / 10 Points
_____________ / 10 Points
_____________ / 10 Points
_____________ / 10 Points
Feature Assignment #5
Due: ___________
_____________ / 10 Points
Title of Newspaper:
_____________ / 10 Points
Overall Presentation:
_____________ / 20 Points
Final Grade:
_____________ / 160 Points
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