The Lesson Visuals can be projected with a LCD projector or a Smartboard
Prep and Tech
Technology: LCD projector, laptop, student computers, and Internet access
Handouts
There are no handouts for this lesson.
Objectives
Students will learn the importance of the Bill of Rights in U.S. history and today.
Students will develop a plan for further action on their issues.
The class will review the importance of the Bill of Rights in understanding each of the issues. Students will imagine how the law would be different for each issue if there was no Bill of Rights. They will work in groups to brainstorm grassroots action that they can take to affect their issues. Students will share their plan of action with students throughout the city on the Constitution Today Discussion Board.
Focusing Question
How does our civic participation impact democracy and our everyday lives?
Mini Lesson
The Bill of Rights and the Issues (15 min.)
Introduce the focusing question that guides this lesson. Connect this question to the previous lesson.
Discuss the role of the Bill of Rights in history with students. Ask each group to explain the importance the Bill of Rights has played for their issue.
Ask each group to discuss how their issue would be treated today if there was no Bill of Rights.
Discuss with students the role of citizens in securing and maintaining rights in a democracy.
Review with students the different levels of government: federal, state, and local.
Discuss with students the actions they have already taken to affect change on their issues. Discuss the importance of sharing their opinions with elected officials.
Instruct students to work in their research groups to brainstorm ideas for further action they can take to affect change on their issues. Model for students how to develop possible methods for affecting change on an issue. Ask students to determine whether the actions they suggest would work best on a national, state, or local level.
Ask students to continue to work in their research groups to create a more detailed plan of action for one of their suggestions. Encourage students to create a realistic plan of action, preferably one that can be accomplished on a community level.
Student Activity
Develop an Action Plan (20 min.)
Ask students to share their results and get feedback from other students participating in this program by posting their plan of action on the Constitution Today Discussion Board. Note: You may wish to continue this process after the completion of this unit. Encourage students to continually read the Constitution Today Discussion Board to see what actions students across New York City have taken on their issues.
Lesson Summary
How does our civic participation impact democracy and our everyday lives? (10 min.)
Revisit the focusing question. Ask students to share some of their recommendations with the class.
Assessment
Use the persuasive letters, research notes, and the PowerPoint presentations to assess students’ understanding of key concepts in this unit.
