Procedures

• INTRODUCTION:

  In this lesson, students have choices as they explore the amendments in the Bill of Rights. They will use the Choice Board to complete the introductory activity, select amendments to examine and complete a final activity.

  Save a copy of the Choice Board below before sharing it with students. It contains slides with links to C-SPAN videos discussing the particular amendment, drag and drop vocabulary activities with terms in the videos and accompanying questions. You may assign it to each student individually using Google Classroom, Schoology or another classroom platform.

  Bill of Rights Choice Board (Google Slides)

• Ask students to complete the introductory slide on their choice board by clicking the yellow star on the first slide.

  First, have them complete the vocabulary activity:

  Bill of Rights Vocabulary Activity (Google Slide)

  Then, view the following video clips that provide an overview of the Bill of Rights. This can be done with the whole class in-person, through a shared video platform or students can view it individually on their own devices. Have them respond to the accompanying questions on the slide. You can engage in discussion to discuss answers.

  VIDEO CLIPS: The Bill of Rights (2 Clips)

  • What are some of the guarantees enshrined within the Bill of Rights?

  • How did Chief Judge Howell link the Bill of Rights guarantees to the Declaration of Independence?

  • What, according to Judge Davis, has changed and not changed since the ratification of the Bill of Rights that informs modern-day interpretation?

• EXPLORATION:

  Students will then choose two amendments that are listed on the board. They will click on the numbered links in the first slide to be taken to that related amendment.

  Each topic includes a link to C-SPAN’s Constitution Clips website, that is associated with that amendment. Students will complete the vocabulary activity, watch the video clips and answer the accompanying questions.

  After they have completed an amendment, they will place a scroll on the yellow window that relates to that amendment on the first slide.

  Below are links to the information that is contained on each slide in the Choice Board. We have listed them here as an option for you to access them.

• AMENDMENTS 1-10:

  1st Amendment Links and Questions:

  Vocabulary Activity

  "Establishment of religion" (6 Video Clips)

  "Free exercise" (3 Video Clips)

  "Freedom of Speech" (7 Video Clips)

  "Freedom of Press" (7 Video Clips)

  "Peaceably to assemble" (3 Video Clips)

  "Petition the Government" (2 Video Clips)

  • What are the five freedoms that are listed in the 1st Amendment?

  • Explain the significance of each freedom.

  • Describe a current example of how one of these freedoms has impacted you, your family or community.

• 2nd Amendment Links and Questions:

  Vocabulary Activity

  "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms" (8 Video Clips)

  • Explain the origin of the 2nd Amendment.

  • Based on the information presented in the videos, describe the various perspectives regarding the 2nd Amendment and firearms.

  • Explain your position on this issue.

• 3rd Amendment Links and Questions:

  Vocabulary Activity

  "Quartered in any house" (3 Video Clips)

  • Explain the significance of this amendment as John Bonsell describes how it relates to the military's role in disaster relief and the federal and state governments.

  • Explain the origin of the 3rd Amendment as Caroline Kennedy and Sen. Lee discuss.

  • Provide an example of how this amendment relates to a current issue.

• 4th Amendment Links and Questions:

  Vocabulary Activity

  "secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue" (6 Video Clips)

  • Explain the origin of the 4th Amendment.

  • Explain the exclusionary rule.

  • Describe the parameters involved with instances of search and seizure and stop and frisk procedures.

  • Provide an example of how this amendment applies to a current issue.

• 5th Amendment Links and Questions:

  Vocabulary Activity

  "Indictment of a Grand Jury" (4 Video Clips)

  "twice put in jeopardy" (3 Video Clips)

  "Witness against himself" (3 Video Clips)

  "Due Process of law" (4 Video Clips)

  • Explain the difference between a trial jury and a grand jury.

  • What is the process of collecting and presenting evidence in a grand jury?

  • Explain the concept of double jeopardy and how it relates to state and federal crimes.

  • Explain the protections you receive under the 5th Amendment.

• 6th Amendment Links and Questions:

  Vocabulary Activity

  "A speedy and public trial" (3 Clips)

  "An impartial jury (3 Video Clips)

  "Confronted with the witnesses against him" (2 Clips)

  "Assistance of Counsel" (4 Video Clips)

  • Explain the origin of the 6th Amendment.

  • Explain the meanings of the following terms: speedy and public trial, impartial jury, right to counsel

  • Explain the significance of the 6th Amendment.

• 7th Amendment Links and Questions:

  Vocabulary Activity

  "Trial by jury" (3 Video Clips)

  • Explain the origin of the 7th Amendment.

  • Discuss the pros and cons of a jury trial as explained in the videos.

  • Explain your position on providing for a jury trial.

• 8th Amendment Links and Questions:

  Vocabulary Activity

  "Cruel and unusual punishments" (4 Video Clips)

  • Explain the difference between originalism and a living Constitution as Justice Scalia discusses.

  • Describe the arguments regarding the definition of cruel as it relates to the Constitution that Justices Breyer and Scalia discuss.

  • Explain Justice Stevens' position on the death penalty and the 8th Amendment.

  • Explain your position on the 8th Amendment.

• 9th Amendment Links and Questions:

  Vocabulary Activity

  "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people" (3 Video Clips)

  • Explain the initial debate over the idea of creating the Bill of Rights

  • Explain the application of the 9th Amendment as it relates to the choice and education case that Justice Kavanaugh discusses.

• 10th Amendment Links and Questions:

  Vocabulary Activity

  "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution" (3 Video Clips)

  • Explain the origin and meaning of the 10th Amendment as Roger Pilon and Louis Seidman discuss.

  • Explain the concept of federalism as Justice Kavanaugh discusses.

  • What is the significance of the 10th Amendment?

• CONCLUSION:

  Have students submit their completed Google Slides by sending the URL with the completed slides to you electronically.

  Review student responses and address any misconceptions.

• WRAP-UP ACTIVITY:

  Ask students to consider their notes and the information from the videos as they complete the activity below to apply what they have learned about a specific amendment.

  Current Event List: Brainstorm a list of issues that are being discussed in the U.S. today. What topics interest or impact you, your community? From your list, select an issue and consider how it applies to one of the amendments you researched.

  Activity: Describe the issue that is being debated, citing specific examples and different perspectives from different people. Explain how it relates to your chosen amendment. Then, explain your position on the issue and what actions you may take to change or preserve it. You can present your research in a written format, through a video or debate it with a partner presenting opposing views.

• EXTENSION ACTIVITY:

  BILL OF RIGHTS BINGO (Google Sldies)

  Engage students in a game of BINGO! Save a copy of the slide deck and have students complete the digital board with Amendments 1-10. Then, read the given words/phrases and have students mark their board with the related amendment. Once students have a achieved BINGO, they can explain how each word or phrase relates to the amendment on their board. Students can also choose one of the activities to complete from the accompanying list.