The Bill of Rights


Social Studies American History Constitution and Government The Bill of Rights
Students brainstorm rights in the Bill of Rights. Then they read closely the first amendment and describe the five freedoms. Next they watch a video and then read the entire Bill of Rights and summarize each of them. Finally they examine what is and is not covered by freedom of speech.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

1:1 Devices
Teacher Pack

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Here are the teacher pack items for The Bill of Rights:

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Overview

In this experience, students brainstorm rights in the Bill of Rights. Then they read closely the first amendment and describe the five freedoms. Next they watch a video and then read the entire Bill of Rights and summarize each of the amendments. Finally they examine what is and is not covered by freedom of speech.

Note: The events and people involved with the writing and ratification of both the Constitution and the Bill of Rights is covered in the experience “The Writing of the U.S. Constitution.” The focus in this scene is on the content and purpose of the Bill of Rights.

Estimated duration: 30–40 minutes

Vocabulary words:

  • bill
  • guarantee
  • bear arms
  • quartering
  • seizure
  • due process
  • retain

Objectives

  • Describe the reasons for creation of the Bill of Rights.
  • Analyze the importance of the Bill of Rights.


Engage


The Bill of Rights contains the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Today, it’s hard to imagine the Constitution without the Bill of Rights. Yet the Bill of Rights was not officially ratified by the states until 1791, three years after the Constitution became law. In this experience you will learn why the Bill of Rights is so important.

Objectives
  • Describe the reasons for creation of the Bill of Rights.
  • Analyze the importance of the Bill of Rights.


children’s hands raised with the word “rights” written across the palms

How many rights or freedoms can you name from the Bill of Rights? Using single words or short phrases, write as many as you can. Separate them with a comma, like this: bake a cake, drive a car.

Post your answer

Answers will probably reflect some of the best-known rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion, right to bear arms, right to remain silent*, right to trial by jury.

* The “right to remain silent” is implied in the Fifth Amendment, protecting citizens from self-incrimination (among other protections).


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