Task
For this web quest, it is 1791 and you are a new Senator in the United States Congress. Not only will you need to know how the government works as set out in the Constitution, you will also need to think about the prospect of possible changes to the document itself. You must now prepare for this vital job!
You will join with three other new Senators in the class to prepare for the job together. As members of a Congressional Committee, each of you will have an important duty:
- Scholar: This Senator will have the responsibility of researching the internet for the Constitutional information, typing in all addresses and communicating with the other Senators on what is found. You must be adept at using the computer.
- Scribe: This Senator will need to listen carefully to the Scholar in order to copy down information that your committee agrees is important. Your writing must be neat as your notes will be needed for the final presentation.
- Speaker: This Senator will be responsible for presenting your final presentation to all of Congress at the end of your committee's preparation. You should have confidence and a loud, clear voice.
- Chairman: This Senator will make sure that your committee remains focused on preparation. You will need good organizational skills as you will be directing your committee's efforts when it is time to create the final presentation.
After you have assigned your committee roles, you will use the websites in the Process Section to research the following sets of Constitutional questions:
1. Before you begin your important legislative work, you will need to know the general set-up of the
government. How has the Constitution structured the U.S. government? What are the functions of each
branch? How will you work with the other two branches to govern the country?
2. During your first months in office- 1791- you will hear much debate about the "Bill of Rights." What is the "Bill
of Rights" ? Will you campaign in favor of it or against it and why?
3. Think about possible changes that may need to be made in the future (post-1791), especially in regards to
slavery, women and the vote. What are they? How can the government go about making these changes in
the Constitution?