The Bill of Rights

Students brainstorm freedoms that they enjoy. Then they watch a video about the Bill of Rights and create a summary chart of each right. Then they analyze the First Amendment and identify examples of limitations it puts on the government. Finally they evaluate freedom of speech, and whether there are limits to this freedom.

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.

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Teacher Pack

The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.

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

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Overview

In this experience, students brainstorm freedoms that they enjoy. Then they watch a video about the Bill of Rights and create a summary chart of each right. Then they analyze the First Amendment and identify examples of limitations it puts on the government. Finally they evaluate freedom of speech, and whether there are limits to this freedom.

The Student Pack contains an optional video, which serves as a good overview of the Bill of Rights. You may choose to assign the video for students to watch at home before beginning the experience in class.

There is no Evaluate scene in this experience. The Unit Assessment is a 10-question quiz for summarizing Celebrate Freedom Week at the end of the Celebrate Freedom Week Playlist.

Estimated duration: 40-50 minutes

 

Experience Article

A summary article is included in the student pack to support students with the core content from the experience. This article can be used as a reference for students who need additional support reviewing key ideas about the experience.

Vocabulary Words:

These vocabulary words are used in the experience or connect closely to the standards and content students examine. Students should understand these terms as they work through the experience.

  • Bill of Rights: the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that protect important rights and freedoms of the people.
  • amendment: a change or addition made to the Constitution.
  • First Amendment: the amendment that protects five freedoms: religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition.
  • freedom of speech: the right to share ideas and opinions without the government stopping you.
  • freedom of the press: the right of newspapers and reporters to share news and information without government control.
  • freedom of assembly: the right of people to gather peacefully in groups.
  • petition: a written request asking the government to make a change or fix a problem.
 

Objectives

  • Explain the main ideas of the Bill of Rights.
  • Reflect on the meaning of the Bill of Rights.


Engage


According to the “Star Spangled Banner,” the national anthem, the United States is the “land of the free.” This week is Celebrate Freedom Week, and you will be learning about three major documents—the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—and what they add to our freedom.

Objectives

  • Explain the main ideas of the Bill of Rights.
  • Reflect on the meaning of the Bill of Rights.


photo of a girl looking at birds flying in the sky; she is making wing shapes with her uplifted arms

There is a figure of speech in English: “free as a bird”


In a word or short phrase, name a freedom that you enjoy.

Post your answer

Students may answer at a personal level (freedom to choose my bedtime, freedom to budget my allowance) or at a more general level (freedom of speech, freedom to get an education, freedom to travel). Discuss student responses with the class.


People in the United States enjoy many freedoms and rights. Many of these rights are guaranteed in a document called the Bill of Rights.


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The Complete List of Learning Experiences in Celebrate Freedom Week Unit.

Celebrate Freedom Week: Unit Assessment

The U.S. Constitution

The Declaration of Independence

The Bill of Rights
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