Activity Overview
In order to gain a deeper understanding of the early American government, students should take the time to understand the different documents, events, and ideologies that culminated in various compromises, the Articles of Confederation, and the eventual Constitution. Many of these ideals also spread into other countries and revolutions, fueling change in places like Britain and France.
Using a grid storyboard, students will identify, summarize, and explain different influences on early American government. This can include ideologies, documents like Common Sense and even the revolution. Teachers can choose to provide a list of things for students to select, or have them identify what they will use in their storyboard.
Extended Activity
Have students create a grid storyboard for America’s current government. Have them define topics they believe influence government today, making connections to the influences on early American government. Some topics can even be the same, with students directly connecting its past and current influence.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard analyzing different events, documents, and ideologies that influenced early American government.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first column, type the name of the event, document, or ideology.
- In the second column, describe the event/document/ideology.
- In the third column, explain its influence on American government.
- Create illustrations for each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
In order to gain a deeper understanding of the early American government, students should take the time to understand the different documents, events, and ideologies that culminated in various compromises, the Articles of Confederation, and the eventual Constitution. Many of these ideals also spread into other countries and revolutions, fueling change in places like Britain and France.
Using a grid storyboard, students will identify, summarize, and explain different influences on early American government. This can include ideologies, documents like Common Sense and even the revolution. Teachers can choose to provide a list of things for students to select, or have them identify what they will use in their storyboard.
Extended Activity
Have students create a grid storyboard for America’s current government. Have them define topics they believe influence government today, making connections to the influences on early American government. Some topics can even be the same, with students directly connecting its past and current influence.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard analyzing different events, documents, and ideologies that influenced early American government.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first column, type the name of the event, document, or ideology.
- In the second column, describe the event/document/ideology.
- In the third column, explain its influence on American government.
- Create illustrations for each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Foundations of Federalism - Ideologies and Influences
How to Adapt the Federalism Storyboard Activity for Younger Students
Modify the storyboard task to use simpler language and fewer columns for grades 2–8. This helps younger students grasp key concepts without feeling overwhelmed.
Choose age-appropriate examples relevant to students’ lives
Select familiar events or rules (like classroom agreements or school policies) that echo federalism concepts. Relating to everyday experiences makes abstract ideas more concrete.
Limit the number of storyboard cells to focus learning
Reduce the grid to 2–3 columns and 2–4 rows. This keeps the activity manageable and allows for deeper discussion on each influence.
Provide visual supports and sentence starters
Offer sample images, icons, or sentence frames to jump-start creativity and understanding. Visual aids and prompts encourage participation and help students organize their thoughts.
Facilitate whole-class brainstorming before independent work
Lead a group discussion to generate ideas and model one example together. This scaffolds the process and builds confidence before students work on their own grids.
Frequently Asked Questions about Foundations of Federalism - Ideologies and Influences
What are the key ideologies and documents that influenced early American government?
Key ideologies and documents that shaped early American government include Enlightenment ideas, the Magna Carta, Common Sense by Thomas Paine, the Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation. These sources emphasized liberty, democracy, and the need for structured governance.
How can I teach federalism and its foundations to high school students in a quick, engaging way?
Use a grid storyboard activity where students identify, summarize, and explain the major influences on early American government. This hands-on approach encourages critical thinking and helps students visually connect ideas.
What is a grid storyboard and how is it used in teaching government foundations?
A grid storyboard is a chart where students list key events, documents, or ideologies in one column, describe them in another, and explain their influence in a third. Illustrations in each cell help students visualize and deepen understanding of the material.
Can students connect historical influences to America’s current government with this lesson?
Yes. An extension activity asks students to create a grid storyboard for today's government, identifying and connecting current influences to those from early American history. This builds analytical skills and relevance.
What are some tips for helping students analyze documents like Common Sense or the Articles of Confederation?
Encourage students to summarize main ideas in simple terms, discuss their historical context, and explore their impact on government structure. Using visuals and group discussion can make complex documents more accessible.
More Storyboard That Activities
Federalism
- Common Sense • www78 • License Attribution, Non Commercial (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/)
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