Curated OER
Federalist and Antifederalist Papers
Students debate the Federalist and Anti-federal Papers after using the Internet as a research tool.
Curated OER
The Road to Democracy
Eleventh graders examine the road to the American Revolution. In this American Revolution instructional activity, 11th graders read Thomas Paine's works and identify the issues that the colonists had with the British government.
Curated OER
Essay Evaluation
In this essay evaluation worksheet, students are provided with a writing prompt and two sample essays. Students evaluate and grade the sample essays and provide three reasons why they graded as they did.
Curated OER
It's Time to Put Our Money Where Our Mouths Are
Eighth graders choose a person who should be honored on our currency. They write a letter outlining the reasons for their choice.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Campaign Finance Reform
Students develop arguments for and against campaign finance reform, examine federal and state laws that attempt to limit contributions to political candidates, evaluate various plans for campaign finance reform and formulate their own...
Curated OER
Secession: A Southern Perspective
Eighth graders determine how secession impacted South Carolina as well as the United States. In this American Civil War lesson, 8th graders examine selected primary and secondary sources in order to study the state's sovereignty and the...
Bill of Rights Institute
The Bill of Rights Institute: Free Lesson Plans
Free lesson plans concerning the Bill of Rights and the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Included are lessons on important news stories occurring today, as well as lessons on famous Americans and how they executed their rights.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Occupy Protests and the Bill of Rights
A lesson plan and extension activities focused on the Occupy Protests which began in 2011. Learners will explore the goal of the protests in relationship to the Bill of Rights.
Other
Our Courts: Bill of Rights: You Mean I've Got Rights? [Pdf]
A great, active lesson about the Bill of Rights. Students compare rights they think they should have with the rights in the actual amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The language of the amendments is broken down into simpler English so...
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: The Bill of Rights
In this lesson plan, 5th graders learn about the bill of Rights, why it was added to the Constitution, and its importance to the freedoms and liberties that Americans have today. Student resources are included.
Other
Bill of Rights Institute: College Bill of Rights
Colleges and universities often carry stricter policies than the Bill of Rights to protect their students, even with their students being legal adults. Explore whether this is constitutional or not with the aid of this lesson plan.
US National Archives
National Archives: Congress Creates the Bill of Rights
A set of activities that link to a mobile app called "Congress Creates the Bill of Rights." The materials used in the app can also be downloaded in PDF format. There is also a free ebook in epub format that is incorporated into the...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Supreme Court Gps Warrant Hearing
Investigators must acquire a search warrant before intitiating a GPS search of a vehicle to track criminals, decided upon by justices, so as not to infringe on the rights of search and seizure stated in the Bill of Rights. This lesson...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Hurricane Katrina and the Bill of Rights
Crisis can raise many questions about constitutional rights. The events and media coverage during Hurricane Katrina is one of those crisises. This lesson plan offers students the opportunity to evaluate some of the instances in an effort...
iCivics
I Civics: No Bill of Rights, No Deal
In the debate over the Constitution, the Bill of Rights was a deal-breaker. In this lesson, students learn why the federalists thought the Constitution didn't need a bill of rights and why the anti-federalists refused to accept the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Creation of the Bill of Rights: "Retouching the Canvas"
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Creation of the Bill of Rights: "Retouching the Canvas"." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Circling the Bill of Rights
This is a hands-on, inquiry project to create a 3-D graphic organizer for the research and study of the Bill of Rights. It may be a stand-alone activity or may be included as part of a unit of study on the Constitution. Students will...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Is the Healthcare Act Constitutional
Offer students an opportunity to evaluate whether they find the Healthcare Act constitutional or not based upon the Commerce Clause through this lesson plan.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Property Rights and the Supreme Court
A question over a piece of property owned by one, yet deemed protected by the EPA prompted a court case in search of due process and protection of property rights. Find out more about the case and the process through this lesson plan.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Bill of Rights: Debating the Amendments
Help students grasp the idea of making amendments with this lesson on the debates of the amendments to the US Constitution. Use primary sources to have the students choose their own amendments, give them opportunity to analyze the...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Voters Make History With State Ballot Initiatives
Eminent Domain, Gay Marriage, Abortion, Marijuana, and the Death Penalty are a few issues that were on some state ballots in recent years. This lesson addresses the relationship these initiatives have with our constitutional rights.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Airport Scanners and the Fourth Amendment
Allow students opportunity to evaluate the constitutionality of the TSA full body airport scanners with this lesson plan.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: The Stolen Valor Act and False Speech
A lesson plan, including an extension opportunity, addressing whether the Stolen Valor Act violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.