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Explaining the
Bill of Rights

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Subject:
 
Social Sciences,
Arts & Humanities,
Ed. Technology
Grade:6-8, 9-12

 

Brief Description

Students work in groups to rewrite the Bill of Rights in their own words.

Objectives

Students

  • define the terms Bill of Rights and amendment,
  • successfully explain the meaning of each amendment to the Bill of Rights, and
  • work together in cooperative groups.

Keywords

Bill of Rights, amendment, Constitution, glossary

Materials Needed

copies of the Bill of Rights from textbook or library sources or printed out from the following sites:
The Bill of Rights
The First 10 Amendments to the Constitution (The Bill of Rights) as Ratified by the States

Lesson Plan

  • Ask students to define the terms Bill of Rights and amendment in their own words.
  • Tell the class that they are going to study the first ten amendments to the Constitution known as the Bill of Rights. Read and discuss this document with students from textbook or library sources or from the site noted in the Materials section.
  • Divide the class into ten groups. Assign each group one amendment. Tell the students that each group must work together to explain the amendment by rewriting it in their own words. If Internet access is available to everyone, students may use the following glossary of Constitution-related terms: CongressLink Glossary

    Assessment

    Have each group read its revised amendment to the class. Have other groups ask questions to the presenters.

    Lesson Plan Source

    Education World

    Submitted By

    Lois Lewis

    National Standards

    Social Sciences:
    NSS-USH.5-12.3

    Language Arts:
    NL-ENG.K-12.3
    NL-ENG.K-12.4
    NL-ENG.K-12.5
    NL-ENG.K-12.6

    Originally published 07/03/2000
    Last updated 05/26/2009