“Bill of Writes”
Application Question: What rights to the Bill of Rights protect, and how do citizens use this protection today?
So What? Students will learn the importance of the Bill of Rights, how they are still relevant today, and how to look and analyze credible recent news articles.
NCSS Thematic Strand: I- Culture, VI- Power, Authority, Governance
Ohio Academic Content Standard: S05 Government B. Explain how the U.S. Constitution has evolved including its philosophical foundations, amendments and court interpretations. S07 Social Studies Skills and Methods A. Obtain and evaluate information from public record and other resources related to a public policy issue.
Grade Level: Grade 12 Government and Politics
Class Periods Required: 1 (plus time outside of class to complete the project)
Purpose/Background/Context:This lesson will be part of a broader unit on the Constitution, its principles, and their meaning. It will be through this lesson though that the history and broad vocabulary terms become relevant to students lives. Also, students are exposed to credible news sources and are asked to look critically at their meanings.
Students’ Preparation: For homework, students are asked to bring in a current event article from a credible newspaper, or print out an article from a credible news website to discuss with the class.
Procedure 1: (20 minutes)
Students enter the room to desks in 5 separate groups of 4-5 students. Everyone will complete the following worksheet, “Translating the Bill of Rights.” This will helps students gain a greater understanding of the meaning of each of the first ten amendments, using each other for help. I circle each group to help. Once everyone is finished, we’ll come together as a class to go over the sheet, and I provide situations in which citizens were protected by the bill of rights, and share some news articles I have found which connect to one of the first ten amendments.
Bill of Rights (Amendments #1-10)
Following each amendment, write a few notes or phrases describing what the amendment protects still today.
Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Meaning:
Amendment 2
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Meaning:
Amendment 3
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Meaning:
Amendment 4
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Meaning:
Amendment 5
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Meaning:
Amendment 6
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Meaning:
Amendment 7
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Meaning:
Amendment 8
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Meaning:
Amendment 9
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Meaning:
Amendment 10
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
Meaning:
Procedure 2: (10 minutes) Returning to the small groups, each student gives a brief description (2-3 minutes) of their article. Questions and comments are encouraged. Again, I circle around to assist the groups. If any of the articles relate to the project in the next procedure, I make sure to highlight them to the entire class.
Procedure 3: (15 minutes)
With the time remaining, introduce the “Bill of Writes” project in which students will find 6 news articles, one each relating to one of the amendments in the bill of rights. (See Next Page for Handout)
Bill of “Writes” project
DUE SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
This project will help connect the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments of the Constitution) to current events today. Your task is to collect 6 news articles concerning current events, representing 6 of the 10 amendments. After recognizing how this article relates to a certain amendment you will write a paragraph (3-6 sentences) explaining the connection. You will put the article, as well as your written explanation your together either in a poster format, a portfolio format, or a speech format. The choice is up to you. If you chose to do a speech for the class about your articles, it should last 6-7 minutes and you must inform me that you will be doing a speech by WEDNESDAY SEPT. 16.
No amendment can be used more than once, and you must do at least 6 amendments. If you find an article that relates to TWO amendments, chose one to discuss in the paragraph. That article would only count as one amendment, so you still must find 5 more articles. Your project is due NO LATER THAN YOUR CLASS PERIOD MONDAY SEPT. 21. YOU MAY NOT USE AN “OOPS” PASS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT. This project is worth 35 points (more than half a test grade!) I will have newspapers available in the classroom if you chose to come in before school, during your lunch period, or after school if you need help finding articles to use. You MAY use news articles from the internet, from a credible news source (like a newspapers website, or news stations homepage).
**Remember within your project you must include WHERE you found each article (ex. The Wall Street Journal, or CNN.com) and the DATE on which it was written. You may not use articles that date before June 2009.
Grading:
Each article: 2 pts (x6) = 12 pts
Each description/connection paragraph- 3pts (x6) = 18pts
Overall creativity, visual appeal of the project= 5pts
Good luck! As always, come to me with questions/concerns!
Ms. S