Curated OER
The Bill of Rights in Times of National Crisis
High schoolers examine the ability of the government to suspend individual rights in times of national crisis. They formulate a constitutional amendment that clearly states if, when, how and by whom the rights of individuals can be...
Curated OER
Rights in Conflict
Learners study situations where rights are in conflict. In this conflict in rights lesson, students review a conflict situation and the Supreme Court ruling for the issue. Learners review the Bill of Rights and then receive their own...
Curated OER
The Federalist Papers
Students identify the Articles of Confederation and explain why it failed. They explain the argument over the need for a bill of rights in the Constitution and James Madison's role in securing its adoption by first Congress. Finally,...
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Understanding the Twenty-Seven Amendments
Students use the Internet to learn about the Constitution. In this Constitutional Amendments instructional activity, students read and discuss the twenty seven amendments and work in groups to rewrite the amendments in their own words. ...
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The Alien and Sedition Acts: Defining American Freedom
Students analyze the Alien and Sedition Acts. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the Alien Act and the Sedition Acts. Students examine Supreme Court cases...
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The Fight for Human Rights
Students explore the concept of human rights by developing and defending their own 'Bills of Human Rights' and by writing a reflective essay that compares their notions of human rights and the protection of them.
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The Bill of Rights
Students discuss the Bill of Rights. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students discuss laws and rights. Students read a textbook selection about the bill of Rights, complete a vocabulary word activity, and complete guided reading...
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Constitutional Amendments And Gay Marriage
Upper graders critically examine the history and process of amending the U.S. Constitution in light of the current issue facing the courts on legalizing gay marriage. They read a variety of articles, watch news clips, and develop a...
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When Human Rights Are Wronged
Students explore the concept of human rights by examining the arresting of prominent Chinese dissidents who are members of the China Democratic Party. They develop and defend their own Bill of Human Rights and write a reflective essay.
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Religion in Public Schools
Seventh graders conduct research on important background information regarding the role of religion in American public schools. In this Ethics lesson, 7th graders examine and become familiar with the First Amendment of the Bill of...
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Perseverance and the First Amendment
Students investigate the right to petition and assemble. In this Bill of Rights instructional activity, students read the First Amendment and discuss the rights guaranteed by the amendment. Students research selected groups and movements...
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It's My Right
Students participate in activities examining the Bill of Rights. They discover the different articles and Amendments.
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The "Right" Ideas
Students explain five rights guaranteed to them by the Bill of Rights. They describe their own views on the right to limit some of our guaranteed rights. They finally describe the role of a nonprofit organization and how they promote our...
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Reporter rights vs. legal access...
Students write an article to inform readers about confidentiality with reporters, attempting to find local lawyers and journalists to explain the issues as they relate to them. Students research past cases and the status of the current...
EngageNY
Grade 9 ELA Module 4, Unit 1, Lesson 17
How did the Demerara Rebellion of 1823, the death of Reverend John Smith, and the Emancipation Bill of 1833 that abolished slavery throughout the British Empire change the sugar industry? Class members examine how the authors of Sugar...
Curated OER
Newspapers in the Digital Age
Is journalism more or less reliable with the influx of Internet sources? Learners investigate the issues of freedom of speech, journalistic ethics, and social responsibility in the age of Twitter and Facebook. After examining the...
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Wartime and the Bill of Rights: The Korematsu Case
Students examine the balance between civil liberties and protection. For this national security lesson, students explore the Korematsu case which references the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Students draw comparisons between...
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A Study of the First Amendment Rights in the Bill of Rights
Students become aware of the basic liberties of speech, press, religion, assembly and petition through study of Supreme Court cases. Student groups analyae some cases heard by the Supreme Court to further their understanding of the First...
California Department of Education
Learning the Skills to Pay the Bills
Is CTE the right choice for me? Introduce the class to career and technical education through an exploratory lesson, fourth in a series of six career readiness activities. After an introductory video, scholars determine possible careers...
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Utopian Visions
Students examine Sir Thomas More's Utopian vision. In this philosophy lesson, students read Utopia and determine the pros and cons of Utopian societies. Students then create and present monologues of residents of the Utopia.
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World at Peace
Students explore world peace by creating a PowerPoint presentation. In this human rights lesson, students discuss the current conditions of human rights around the planet and view an on-line exhibit hosted by UNICEF. Students discuss...
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The Right and Responsibility To Bear Arms
Students write a paragraph summarizing the rights and responsibilities of owning a gun, including penalties for owners of guns which injure or kill. This less is designed for students acquiring English.
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A Day in the Life of Bill C-One: Canada's Parliamentary System
Studnets explore the procedure that makes bills into laws, through research and class discussion. They conduct public opinion and media research surveys and discuss the impact they have on deliberations conducted during the passage of a...
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A Visitor from Outer Space
Students read the handout, "A Visitor from Outer Space" and discuss the bill of rights. They complete the Bill of Right checklist individually or in small groups then complete a poll ranking each freedom. Students write reasoning behind...