Classroom Based Assessment Constitutional Issues 8th Grade

State Your Position Take a position on the subject (I am in favor of stricter gun control because… or I am against stricter gun control because…-- obviously you need to be more eloquent than that but it gets the point across). Your presentation will argue your point, using solid facts, established court cases/government policies, and the Constitution to strengthen your argument.

Advocate Your Position •Explain how you would advocate and promote your position at the local, state, or national level.

Opposite View Point Present a logical position that goes against your position. Meaning, if you are in support of stricter gun control you need to present a logical, realistic argument in support of less strict gun control. By doing this you are acknowledging that there are at least 2 sides to every issue. Logical argument against your position:

Refute The Argument Why this argument doesn’t work:

Connect Your Issue to the Constitution Look through the amendments. Is there an amendment that addresses your issue? (For gun control the 2nd amendment, at least, addresses the issue. For many issues, look at the 9thor 10th amendment) If not in the amendment, what about the articles? The Preamble? Part(s) of Constitution Connected to your issue:

ONE Court Case OR Government Policy related to your position Court Case(s)/Government Policy(s): Date: Names: What Happened: How this upheld the Constitution:

Individual Right(s) Connected to Your Issue Fundamental rights and basic liberties of individuals such as those mentioned in the Declaration of Independence (equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) and the Bill of Rights (freedom of expression, religion, rights of the accused, and property rights).

How the Common Good is Connected to Your Issue Promote the General Welfare/Common Good: "The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot so well do for themselves in their separate capacities." ~Abraham Lincoln, "Fragment on Government,“ 1854

Research Time