iCivics
I Civics: You've Got Rights!
Students learn about the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and other important constitutional amendments.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Wikileaks
Students can be the judge as to whether or not Assange should be charged with espionage after publishing stolen government documents in this lesson plan.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Healthcare Act, Federalism, and the Commerce Clause
Utilize a lesson plan focused on cases brought against the federal government based on part of the Affordable Healthcare Act.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Bill of Rights in Action: Welfare
Lesson in which students read the history of welfare in the United States, answer questions for discussion and writing, and debate who should be responsible for the welfare of others. Small group, individual and whole class work.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine Laws
A lesson plan prompted by the Trayvon Martin case addressing the "Stand Your Ground" and "Castle Doctrine" laws in Florida.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: The Federal Budget and the Constitution
What responsibilities belong to the U.S. President and the Congressional houses when it comes to establishing the federal budget? Take a look at these resources and incorporate this instructional activity into classroom learning.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Executive Branch: A Hero Betrayed: The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant
Lesson with activity on the Executive Branch, distribution of power, scandal and the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. Includes questions for discussion and class activity. Links to supplemental material.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: A Nation Conceived in Liberty [Pdf]
In this instructional activity, 11th graders examine the events and political philosophy that laid the foundations of the American government, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They also look at what role religion played in...
iCivics
I Civics: Interpreting the Constitution
Students analyze real-life cases interpreting the 8th and 5th amendments to see whether they interpret the Bill of Rights the same way the Supreme Court did and discover how tricky interpreting the Constitution really is.
Other
Lesson Plans for Teaching the First Amendment
This FreedomForum.org site lists the three English documents that were precursors to the American Bill of Rights.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Constitutional Amendments and Gay Marriage
In this lesson, students examine and debate the issue of same sex marriage by studying background information, news articles, legal arguments and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. They then draft an amendment of their own to...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Conflict of Cultures: President Polk and the Taking of the West
Lesson and activity on conflict of cultures in which students study U.S. overtaking lands of Mexico and California and form policy on property rights and citizenship of conquered cultures. Activity guidelines, questions for discussion...
Library of Congress
Loc: The u.s. Constitution: Governing of the u.s.
This unit includes four lessons using primary sources to examine continuity and change in the governing of the United States. Lessons one and two are focused on a study of the Constitution and Bill of Rights and provide access to primary...
US National Archives
National Archives: The First Amendment
Young scholars will look at documents and cases throughout American history to understand the effects of the First Amendment on our nation.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: James Madison and Executive Power
James Madison has been called the "Father of the Constitution". His ideas have shaped the role of our government, the role of political parties, the Bill of Rights and more. This activity offers extensive background, critical thinking...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Civil Liberties and Due Process
Learning packet was created to provide students with an understanding of the civil liberties a United States citizen is entitled to without interference from government.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Religious Liberty
Use these lesson extensions to help your students understand the historical context of American religious liberty.
Other
Freedom Forum: Lesson Plans for the First Amendment
These lessons address constitutional principles and contemporary issues involving the First Amendment. They intend to have explore how freedoms began and how they operate in today's world. Students will discuss just how far individual...
iCivics
I Civics: Colonial Influences
Where did the American colonists get their ideas that lead to a revolution and a whole new kind of government? This lesson explores the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, Cato's Letters, and Common Sense.
Other
Gunston Hall Plantation: Mason Objects
In this set of activities, students learn what George Mason's objections were to the U.S. Constitution. They then evaluate them through a class discussion and divide into groups to hold a debate about the disagreement between the...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Constitution Lives
As part of the study of the Constitution, young scholars will do research on and create a Constitutional scrapbook and multimedia presentation on the Bill of Rights. Students will use various media print resources as well as the Internet...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Background on the Patriot Attitude Toward the Monarchy
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Background on the Patriot Attitude Toward the Monarchy." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: How Constitution Used to Organize the New Govt [Pdf]
This lesson describes how, using the guidelines provided in the Constitution, the First Congress in April 1789 named the new president and vice president, provided funding for the new government, organized the executive branch, organized...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: The u.s. Supreme Court: Fdr Tries to "Pack" the Supreme Court
Lesson and activity in which students learn about the importance of the Supreme Court, balance of power, and judicial reform.