This Articles of Confederation Tombstones Creative Project can serve as a hands-on, engaging culminating activity for your Articles of Confederation unit — use it in Civics, American Government, or your American History class! These Articles of Confederation tombstones challenge students to demonstrate their comprehension of America’s first, failed governing document in a creative, imaginative way. Makes for a great bulletin board of student work, too!
Students are asked to design a tombstone for the dearly departed Articles of Confederation. A comprehensive rubric describes the instructions and expectations, and five sample tombstones help inspire students for their own projects.
On their tombstones, students are asked to include:
- The name of the departed (the Articles of Confederation/AOC) and years lived
- A summary of the life the Articles lived
- Cause of death. At least 3 weaknesses of the Articles that led to its ultimate demise
- A description of what happened next. What replaced the Articles?
- An epitaph
- Color and/or illustrations! Students are encouraged to treat this like an art project, making it engaging and eye-catching!
Aligned to the Florida State Standard for Middle School Civics, SS.7.CG.1.7: Articles of Confederation, this resource can work with middle, high school, or even elementary school Civics, American Government, and American History classes!
This resource comes as a non-editable, printable PDF and includes a rubric and 5 sample projects. There is also a digital version available through TPT Easel, which can be assigned directly to Google Classroom or shared with your students via a link!
What other teachers are saying about this resource:
“Engagement was high and I was ecstatic!”
This was a great resource to wrap our study on the failures of the Articles of Confederation. It was best to see my students’ creativity. We are planning to have a funeral for the Articles. Engagement was high and I was ecstatic!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Hillary P.
“A fun, well-thought-out, engaging lesson!”
This resource was so easy to add into my lesson! The rubric was easily understood by my students and they greatly enjoyed creating these tombstones! Thank you for a fun, well-thought-out, engaging lesson!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Mallory Houser
“Engaging assignment!”
Thank you for this engaging assignment! I am teaching summer school and used this as a quiz to wrap up the Articles of Confederation unit. I appreciate that it allows the students to be creative. Thank you!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— A Year of Learning
More Happy Teacher Products You Might Enjoy:
✩ Articles of Confederation Article & Activities for Civics & American History
✩ Bill of Rights One-Pager – Creative Project for Civics & American History!
✩ The Articles of Confederation Activity BUNDLE | for Civics & American History
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