Bill of Rights Lesson Plans  

       September is the perfect time to introduce the Bill of Rights in your classroom.  Using the Amendments in diverse activities provides background information and sets the stage for the creation of a classroom Bill of Rights.  The ideas on this page are not unique but are classroom tested for success.  Additionally,  the concepts developed using the Bill of Rights in the early weeks of September sets the stage for Constitution Day.   I will be adding more ideas during the year.  My class will  later revisit the Bill of Rights and Constitution again in our NEW NATION unit.

                              

 

                                 LESSON PLAN ONE
                   "Help Madison with the Amendments"

Overview:

  In this lesson, students will apply their knowledge of the Bill of Rights by sorting pictures that represent each Amendment.  For each group a sorting board, sorting "headers", and a data recording sheet are required.   Each group of students receives an envelope with various pictures representing each Amendment.  Their task is to look at each picture to determine what Amendment or "right" would apply.  Then, they sort the pictures under one of the 10 Rights headers on a table.  Headers of each Amendment right are placed at the top of the table.  Option:  Butcher paper with the numbered Amendments works well for groups also.  After all of the pictures are sorted, students record their findings on the recording sheet.  An example of  the recording sheet is at the bottom of this page.

 

                                     MATERIALS:

  NOTE:  I found the pictures using a Yahoo search using headings such as "freedom of speech".  There are many pictures that can be used from the Yahoo search.  Newspapers also work well.  Print the pictures for the project.  Mount the pictures on construction paper.  Laminate.

  * Recording sheet for each group

  *  Pencils

  *  Copy of the Bill of Rights for each group

  *  1-envelope containing the pictures to sort.

 

                     

            More coming soon.. I am off to Mount Vernon this weekend.. HUZZAH!