Readings:
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1.
The Bill of Rights: How We Got It and What It Means.
(Introduction).
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2. Overview of the Bill of Rights (Done orally by teacher in more simplified language).
Accompanying Activity:
Pre-lesson evaluation to gauge student knowledge of the Bill of Rights and the United States Constitution.
Objectives:
1. To introduce the Bill of Rights to students.
2. To provide students with insight into the United StatesConstitution .
General Statement:
After American leaders led a successful revolution against Britain, they wanted to ensure that the federal government would not become tyrannical, as they felt the British government had done in its relationship with the American people. As a result, American leaders crafted the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. The Bill of Rights were initially enacted as limitations solely upon the federal government. For years, the this belief held sway because many adhered tightly to the notion that the states had rights which could not be compromised by the federal government. This state’s rights viewpoint was prominent primarily for two reasons: 1) The belief that local governments are easier for the people to control and influence, and 2) It represented a compromise to the Southern slavocracy regarding the maintenance and institutionalization of slavery in that region.
Vocabulary:
Slavocracy, Tyrannical, State’s rights, Revolution.
Teaching Strategy:
Entry Point A:
Inform the class that we will be starting a unit on the Bill of Rights and that they are now going to answer this brief survey so that the teacher can assess their knowledge of this topic. Teacher should remind students that these evaluations will not be graded. (2-3 minutes).
Entrv Point B:
Teacher distributes evaluation and has students complete them. (See attached). (10 minutes).
Entry Point C:
Teacher instructs each student to read one of his/her responses on the evaluation. Teacher collects evaluations. (10-15 minutes).
Entry Point D:
Teacher then gives oral overview of the creation of the Bill of Rights and answers any questions students may have on the issue. (15 minutes).
Homework:
Read pages 1-15 in
The Bill of Rights: How We Got It and What It Means.