Unit 2: Mabon
Building a Nation: Constitution & Early Republic
6 weeks (Sept 8 – Oct 17) • 7th Principle: Interdependent Web
Unit Overview
Mabon, the autumn equinox, celebrates balance—equal day and night. This unit explores how the founders attempted to create balance in government through the Constitution's system of checks and balances. We examine the debates, compromises, and contradictions of the early republic. In physics, we complete our study of mechanics with momentum, energy, and conservation laws.
Literature Focus
Federalist Papers, Constitution, early American voices
Math Focus
Factoring polynomials (all methods), polynomial division
Science Focus
Newton's 3rd Law, momentum, work, energy, power
History Focus
Constitution, Bill of Rights, Washington's presidency
Weekly Lesson Plans
Revolution's Aftermath
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Opening Mabon ritual: Balance of light and dark. How did the new nation balance freedom with order?
📚 Language Arts
Revolutionary War literature: Letters from soldiers, Phillis Wheatley's poetry. Discuss voice and perspective.
📐 Math (Algebra II)
Factoring polynomials: Greatest common factor, grouping method.
⚡ Science (Physics)
Newton's Third Law: Action and reaction. Every force has an equal and opposite force.
🏛️ History
The Revolutionary War: Key battles, turning points, and the role of ordinary people. Who fought and why?
🎨 Art
Revolutionary-era portraiture. Study Gilbert Stuart's Washington. Create a portrait of a historical figure.
🏃 Movement
Action-reaction demonstrations: Balloon rockets, skateboard pushes, Newton's cradle.
Creating a Government
🕯️ Hearth Circle
What makes a fair government? Discuss the 7th Principle in terms of balancing individual and collective needs.
📚 Language Arts
The Federalist Papers excerpts (Hamilton, Madison, Jay). Analyze argumentative writing techniques.
📐 Math (Algebra II)
Factoring trinomials: x² + bx + c form. Pattern recognition and practice.
⚡ Science (Physics)
Momentum and impulse. Conservation of momentum in collisions. Real-world applications.
🏛️ History
Articles of Confederation: Why did they fail? The Constitutional Convention and the Great Compromise.
🎨 Art
Neoclassical architecture: Study the Capitol building. Design a public building using classical principles.
🏃 Movement
Momentum experiments: Colliding balls, egg drop challenges.
The Constitution
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Balance in the Constitution: How do checks and balances reflect Mabon's theme of equilibrium?
📚 Language Arts
Close reading of the Constitution's Preamble and key amendments. Compare to the Declaration.
📐 Math (Algebra II)
Factoring trinomials: ax² + bx + c form. The AC method.
⚡ Science (Physics)
Work and energy. Kinetic and potential energy. The work-energy theorem.
🏛️ History
The Constitution: Structure, separation of powers, federalism. What problems was it designed to solve?
🎨 Art
Document design: Create an illuminated version of a meaningful text (personal constitution, family values).
🏃 Movement
Energy transformations: Pendulums, roller coaster physics, bouncing balls.
Rights and Debates
🕯️ Hearth Circle
What rights are essential? Discuss the balance between majority rule and minority rights.
📚 Language Arts
The Bill of Rights: Close reading. Research one amendment in depth and present findings.
📐 Math (Algebra II)
Special factoring patterns: Difference of squares, perfect square trinomials.
⚡ Science (Physics)
Power and efficiency. Calculating power in mechanical systems. Simple machines review.
🏛️ History
Ratification debates: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists. Why was the Bill of Rights added?
🎨 Art
Protest art through history: From revolutionary broadsides to modern movements.
🏃 Movement
Simple machines scavenger hunt: Find examples of levers, pulleys, inclined planes in daily life.
The Early Republic
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Washington's leadership: What does it mean to lead with integrity? Discuss servant leadership.
📚 Language Arts
Washington's Farewell Address excerpts. Analyze his warnings about political parties and foreign entanglements.
📐 Math (Algebra II)
Factoring completely: Combining all methods. Problem-solving strategies.
⚡ Science (Physics)
Conservation of energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
🏛️ History
Washington's presidency: Setting precedents. The first cabinet, Whiskey Rebellion, peaceful transfer of power.
🎨 Art
Symbolism in national imagery: The Great Seal, early American symbols. Design a personal or family seal.
🏃 Movement
Conservation of energy demonstrations: Rube Goldberg machine planning.
Growing Pains
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Mabon reflection: What have we harvested from our study of the founding? What contradictions remain?
📚 Language Arts
Early American voices: Abigail Adams' letters ('Remember the Ladies'), Olaudah Equiano's narrative.
📐 Math (Algebra II)
Polynomial division: Long division and synthetic division methods.
⚡ Science (Physics)
Review of mechanics: Forces, motion, energy, momentum. Problem-solving practice.
🏛️ History
The contradictions of freedom: Slavery in a 'free' nation, women's limited rights, Indigenous displacement.
🎨 Art
Quilt design: American quilting traditions as storytelling. Design a quilt square representing this unit.
🏃 Movement
Physics review through games: Catapult building, egg drop finale.
🎉 Celebration
Mabon Feast: Celebrate the autumn equinox with a harvest meal. Discuss balance—in nature, in government, in our lives.
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
When formal lessons aren't possible, these resources cover similar content:
- • The Constitution: A More Perfect Union (PBS documentary)
- • Hamilton (Musical - covers this entire period)
- • Crash Course US History - Constitution episodes (YouTube)
- • Khan Academy - Algebra II: Factoring unit
- • Veritasium - Energy and momentum videos (YouTube)