Name:

   _____________________________________________  
Podcast Project:
Constitution Radio
Show
Your Assignment:
Imagine  that  it  is  the  late  18th  Century  and  
the  Constitutional  Convention  characters  could  
have  created  a  radio  show  about  the  Convention  
and  the  Constitution.  
     
Work  with  a  group  of  fellow  convention  delegates  to  
write  and  produce  a  radio  show  that  informs  your  listeners  
of  key  Convention  and  Constitution  facts.    You  must  also  persuade  the  
listeners  that  the  U.S.  Constitution  is  a  good,  workable  form  of  government  –  perfect  
for  the  new  American  republic.    
 
Requirements:
 Throughout  the  radio  show,  you  will  play  the  role  of  your  Constitutional  Convention  character.    
You  can  be  “co-­‐hosts”  of  a  program  or  one  of  the  characters  can  host  the  program  and  interview  
the  other  characters.  
 
 Your  radio  show  must  include  background  information  about  the  Constitutional  Convention  as  
well  as  all  necessary  facts  from  this  unit  (see  attached  planning  chart).    
 
 The  first  segment  of  your  show  should  be  an  introduction.  Be  sure  to  include  a  name  for  your  
show,  your  historical  characters’  names,  and  a  date  and  location  of  your  show.    
 
 Your  podcast  must  be  between  3  –  5  minutes  long.    
 
 Your  podcast  must  be  purely  audio  –  no  pictures,  no  video.    Focus  on  using  powerful  and  
engaging  words  to  communicate  your  meaning.  
 
 Please  read  the  grading  rubric  for  a  complete  list  of  all  requirements  for  an  exemplary  podcast.  
 
Steps:
1.    Write  your  script.    (Remember,  each  group  member  must  play  a  role  and  your  podcast  must  be  
between  three  and  five  minutes  long.)    
 
2.    Rehearse  your  script  to  make  sure  it  flows  smoothly  and  that  it  is  the  right  length.    You  will  
need  to  speak  loudly,  clearly,  and  slowly  directly  into  the  microphone.    Practice,  practice,  practice  
so  that  you  can  do  this  and  sound  natural  and  engaging.    It’s  not  easy!  
 
3.    Record  in  Garage  Band.  
 
4.    Edit  for  smooth  transitions  and  to  remove  dead  space.    Adjust  the  volume  of  your  tracks  to  be  
sure  that  the  listeners  can  hear  all  of  your  words  clearly.  
 
5.    Add  background  music  and  other  necessary  effects.  
 Name:    ____________________________   Character’s  Name:    _________________________  
Radio  Show  Name:    ______________________________________  
Radio  Show  Date  and  Location:    _____________________________________  
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Introduction.    Include  your  names  and  your  radio  show’s  name,  date,  and  location.    This  
segment  should  immediately  engage  your  listener  and  establish  a  clear  purpose  for  your  show.  

 
 
 

2
 

3
 

4
 

5 Conclusion.    You  should  restate  your  names  and  your  show’s  name,  date,  and  location.    You  
should  end  with  a  quick  summary  of  the  topics  you  covered  today  and  also  give  the  audience  a  
hint  of  what  they  will  hear  when  they  listen  next  time.  

 
 
 
 
  
 
Constitution Radio Show
Required Terms and Topics
 
You  must  include  the  following  terms  and  topics  as  part  of  your  
podcast  script.    You  can  work  them  in  however  you  choose,  but  they  
must  be  included  and  the  radio  show  must  demonstrate  that  you  
understand  each  term’s  meaning.  
 
Constitutional  Convention  
debate  
compromise  
delegates  
republic  
central  government      
Articles  of  Confederation  (including  at  least  3  weaknesses)  
Constitution  
Bill  of  Rights  (including  some  specific  individual  rights)  
James  Madison  
federal  system  of  government    
separation  of  powers  
Virginia  Plan  
Legislative  Branch  
Congress  
Senate      
House  of  Representatives    
Judicial  Branch    
Executive  Branch  
President  
checks  and  balances    
amendments  
 
Additional  terms  and  topics  that  you  could  use  to  enhance  meaning  (optional):  
Great  Compromise  
3/5  Compromise  
Federalists  (supported  ratification  of  Constitution)  
Anti-­‐Federalists  (were  opposed  to  ratification  of  the  Constitution)