 “We have seen that the American Constitution has changed, is changing, and by the law of its existence must continue to change, in its substance and practical working even when its words remain the same.” - James Bryce Do you agree or disagree that our Constitution must continue to change? Why?

 Equality  Rights  Liberty  Opportunity  Democracy

 Problems with Articles of Confederation  1777  Lacks a separation of powers between the state and federal governments  Too much state power  U.S. Constitution is written  1787  Preamble (yesterday)

 The first Congress proposed a series of amendments to the constitution in 1789, 2 years after it was passed.  By 1791, 10 amendments were ratified, or added.  Known as the Bill of Rights  Original constitution did not contain a Bill of Rights. ▪ (See wall by backpacks)

 James Madison, the writer of the Bill of Rights, stated that the Bill of Rights did not give Americans any rights.  People already had them to begin with.  These are natural rights that everyone has.  The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to prevent the government from taking away those rights.  Open books to pages

 VIDEO: The Bill of Rights (3:49)—Examine the document that guarantees the freedoms and liberties of all American citizens. VIDEO  (19:18-23:28)  Move cursor to under the letter “U”

 First 5 are Freedom of:  Religion  Speech  Press  Petition  Assembly

 Next 3 amendments came from the struggles with Britain:  no quartering of troops  right to a fair trial ▪ right to an attorney ▪ trial by jury ▪ speedy trial

 The last 2 amendments:  limit the powers of the federal government to those that are specifically granted in the Constitution

 Civil war amendments  Were passed to protect the rights of former slaves  13=ended slavery  14=guaranteed citizenship and constitutional rights to former slaves  15=gave former slaves the right to vote

 Suffrage  19=gave women the right to vote  26=set 18 as the minimum voting age

 Which amendment in the Bill of Rights do you feel is the most important? Why?

 Students learn about the important rights and freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights by analyzing a series of scenarios to determine whether the Bill of Rights protects certain actions taken by citizens.  Religion – make one up yet!  Guns – make one up yet!  Speech – make one up yet!  Etc. – make one up yet!

 Make up these scenarios yet…  Which amendment in the Bill of Rights do you think is the most important? Why?

 Students will choose one of the five “ideal” words and create an acrostic that embodies what their chosen word means to him/her.  For example