Bill of Rights Institute
Preserving the Bill of Rights
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...
Bill of Rights Institute
The Declaration of Independence
Take classes on an in-depth tour of the Declaration of Independence. An informative resource effectively scaffolds learning by providing warm-up and wrap-up activities. It also includes a variety of handouts for individuals to complete,...
Bill of Rights Institute
America's Transition to a Global Economy (1960s-1990s)
Just how do we live in a global society? Scholars investigate an AP review video to see the transition in the latter half of the 20th century to a global economy. The final video of nine installments helps them examine and analyze the...
Bill of Rights Institute
Post-WWII Boom: Transition to a Consumer Economy
The war is over! Scholars investigate an AP review video to uncover the post-WWII era in the United States. Viewers examine and analyze the consumerism that arose in post-war America. This is the eighth installment of a nine-part series.
Bill of Rights Institute
The Great Depression: Economic Causes and Repercussions
Brother, can you spare a dime? Scholars investigate an AP review video to understand the causes of the Great Depression and the economic collapse of the American economy. Viewers examine the many economic factors leading to the worst...
Bill of Rights Institute
Progressivism and The New Deal
Bust those trusts! Scholars investigate the Progressive Era leading to the New Deal in America. They examine the impact legislation had on attempting to control big business in the United States. Are there any parallels to today?
Bill of Rights Institute
The Gilded Age, Robber Barons and the Rise of Big Business
Survival of the fittest! Scholars investigate an AP review video to discover the era of big business during the Gilded Age. Viewers examine the place of Robber Barons in society and its impact on the workforce in America. This is the...
Bill of Rights Institute
Interstate Commerce and the Constitution
Who had power over trade in the early days of the United States? Who has power now? Viewers investigate the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. Using an AP Exam review video, learners examine issues surrounding authority...
Bill of Rights Institute
Economics of the North and South Before the Civil War
How did economic issues lead to war? Viewers watch an AP review video to examine one of the main causes of the American Civil War, the Tariff of Abominations. They examine the issues concerning the economies of the North and South prior...
Bill of Rights Institute
Freedom for All?
What did abolitionists have in common with those working for women's rights? How has the Native American struggle for voting rights differed from the struggles of other groups? Class members examine the 15th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, and 26th...
Bill of Rights Institute
Celebrate Constitution Day
September 17 is a great day to focus on the US Constitution for on this day in 1787, the Constitution was signed. Through a series of activities, high schoolers get a chance to look closely at this famous document and the rights and...
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: Affirmative Action and the Constitution
Spurred by a case in Texas where a student felt her rights were compromised when she was denied entrance into the University of Texas, this lesson plan addresses college admissions' processes in the United States.
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: 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: 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: 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.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Internet Copyright and Piracy Bills
A instructional activity focused on SOPA, Stop Online Privacy Act, which protects online businesses from counterfeiters and from folks using copyrighted materials without appropriate permissions.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: The Defense of Marriage Act
A lesson plan addressing what happens when Congress passes a law or an act, but the law is unconstitutional.
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: Gouverneur Morris
A lesson plan introducing or revisiting the role of Gouverneur Morris in the planning and writing of the United States Constitution.
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...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Unlocking Your Cellphone
Who owns your property stored in a virtual world? Who has the rights to protect it, to keep it private, to make it public? These questions are investigated in this lesson plan.
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.