California State Standard 5.7 is delineated in the following manner: "Students describe the people and events associated with the development of the U.S. Constitution and analyze the Constitution's significance as the foundation of the American republic." Students answer six questions about the Constitution and present suggestions for addressing elements of the standard. Providing students with the information that on September 17, 1787, the Constitution was unanimously approved by the 11 states fully represented and signed by 39 delegates, the lesson discusses the uses and significance of the topic; presentation and activities ("Beginning the Topic"; "Developing the Topic"; "Culminating the Topic"); offers focus questions; a sample vocabulary; literacy links (reading, writing, speaking, listening); supplies a focus question for assessment; a 42-item resource list; and a list of 12 Web sites. A "Separation of Powers" chart is appended. Suggests 14 class periods for implementing the lesson. (BT)