Constitutional Convention: The Great Compromise

Students explore the story of the 1787 Constitutional Convention in this social studies worksheet for middle grades! Learners will read about the important compromises made when James Madison's Virginia Plan and William Paterson's New Jersey Plan were combined into what became known as "The Great Compromise." After reading the passage, students will use the text to answer questions about the agreement that was made to balance the needs of large states and small states and how the current system of government in the United States was born. As an extension activity, ask students to consider who was making decisions at the Constitutional Convention and who was not included in the discussions.