Unit Plan
Bill of Rights Institute

Preserving the Bill of Rights

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
Consider how America's founding fathers and their experiences contributed to the rights we all enjoy today. A collection of reading, writing, and collaborative exercises prompt high schoolers to think about the ways their current lives...
Interactive
DocsTeach

Comparing the Magna Carta and English Bill of Rights with the U.S. Bill of Rights

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Just how alike are some historical documents? Discover the similarities between the Magna Carta and the United States Bill of Rights in a fast-paced activity. Historians learn the importance of both documents and the lasting impact they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights and the Founders

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explain similarities between historical statements of rights and their modern applications, explore ideas of "Rights of Englishmen" and natural rights, discuss evolution of concept of rights and its impact on Bill of Rights,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Across The Centuries

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze the American Bill of Rights, compare it to the English Bill of Rights and note the differences in an essay. They access websites imbedded in this plan to do their research, then present their findings to the class.
Worksheet
Curated OER

4th Grade Social Studies

For Teachers 4th
In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders answer multiple choice questions about the Bill of Rights, Congress, the National Anthem, and more. Students complete 25 multiple choice questions.
PPT
Curated OER

English Constitutional Monarchy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Whether you are teaching British Literature, British History, or are simply interested in the history of English politics, this presentation takes the viewer on a journey through 600 years of England's royal and political upheavals....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Law: Your Rights and Responsibilities

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore First Amendment rights and responsibilities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

No Taxation Without Representation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars consider colonial rights. In this Bill of Rights lesson plan, students complete an activity guide that requires young scholars to analyze taxation without representation. Students respond to discussion questions pertaining...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Foundations of American Government: Teacher’s Guide

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the foundations of America. In this early American history lesson, students watch Discovery video segments regarding the Boston Massacre, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Divided We Fall

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine the Bill of Rights. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students write essays for perform plays that feature the importance of the first ten amendments. Middle schoolers imagine the United States without 1 of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fight For Your Right - Leading A Revolution of Change

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine civil rights. In this civil rights lesson plan, students research human rights issues of United States history. Students then discuss their research findings and write Bill of Rights statements for the topics they...
PPT
Curated OER

The American Revolution: Creating a New Nation

For Teachers 10th - 12th
The American Government was founded on several major principles which led to the US Constitution, Federal System, and Bill of Rights. This presentation follows Colonial America on its journey from colony, to freedom fighter, to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Divided We Fall

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners investigate the consequences of eliminating one or more of the amendments to the Bill of Rights.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roots of the Documents of Freedom

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine and analyze various excerpts from documents of freedom such as Magna Carta and Virginia Declaration of Rights, identify how documents influenced each other, and discuss ideas and rights necessary to build representative...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitutional Resources

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students explore the Constitution, bill of rights, framers, Supreme court cases and educational games.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Grievances Against the British Monarchy

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students review George Washington's reasons for not wanting to be viewed as a monarch. They review the Declaration of Independence and identify five grievances the United States had against the British monarchy. In groups, students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Justice in America

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders analyze primary sources for evidence of intent and purpose. In this American government lesson, 11th graders compose a one-page response explaining their understanding of "justice." Students read and examine quotes about...
Worksheet
Constitution Facts

U.S. Constitution Crossword Puzzles: Intermediate #1

For Teachers 7th - 10th
All of the details of American history fall into place with a clever crossword puzzle. Nearly 100 clues prompt middle and high schoolers to fit the correct answers to topics including the American Revolution, the Civil War, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Boston Spies' Report on the Redcoats

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students collect information about British actions in Boston and send it by secret message to leaders in Philadelphia.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Literature: Isabel Allende

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students watch and respond to a Bill Moyers Now video on the Chilean author, Isabel Allende. They brainstorm a list of recent events that might inspire writers and choose one to write about in poetic, diary, or short story form.
Worksheet
Curated OER

American English 2

For Students 4th - 6th
In this American English 2 worksheet, students match the fifteen British English words on the left with the fifteen American English equivalent words on the right.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Colonists Protest Song

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the role of protest songs. In this early American history lesson, students research the acts passed by the British that angered colonists. Students then listen to protest songs from contemporary American history prior to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington in Song

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers establish similarities to George Washington's time in office with the song "Yankee Doodle."  For this U.S. History lesson, students learn the song "Yankee Doodle" then create a timeline of the song and a timeline of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Preamble to the U. S. Constitution

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explain the purpose of the government by examining the Preamble to the Constitution. They identify ways in which the government is preserving those rights today. They discover one of the fundamental principles of...