Imagine you are creating a Facebook account for the first time. What do you write in your “About Me” section? Why?

Objective: Explain and analyze the purpose of government stated in the Preamble to the Constitution Guiding Question: What should we count on the U.S. government to do for us?

 Do Now: 5 min  Quote of the Day: 3 min  The Preamble Introduction/Notes: 15 min  Our Preamble: 32 min  Exit Ticket: 5 min

 What great things happened this weekend?

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.” -Dr. Seuss

 This means that one purpose of the Constitution is design a better government.  Efficiency

 This means that there will be equality under the law, so that no one will be unfairly treated.  Equality

 This means to make sure that there is peace amongst the citizens and to make sure that things run smoothly  Security and Efficiency Domestic means “at home” Tranquility means “peaceful”

 This means to protect the citizens from harm that could come from outside the country.  Security

 This means to make social policies that are good for the country as a whole and to take care of peoples’ needs.  Equality

 This means to make sure that future generations enjoy the same rights and freedom that we have.  Liberty Posterity means “generations after us”

 Brainstorm with your partner ideas for things that we can put in our preamble

 What is your advocacy preamble?

Should the government have the power to execute people for crimes they commit? Why or why not? In places where they are allowed, modern executions are done by lethal injection

Objective: Describe the rights granted in the Bill of Rights, explain its purpose, and analyze its efficacy Guiding Question: Was the execution of Troy Davis Constitutional?

 Do Now: 5 min  Quote of the Day: 3 min  Bill of Rights Context: 5 min  Kirk Bloodsworth Case: 10 min  Understanding the Bill of Rights: 15 min  Writing: 10 Min

“Happy are those who dare courageously to defend what they love.” -Ovid

 90% of colleges in the country accept AP credits  Colleges and universities will see you as a more competitive college applicant  A chance to make history

 Commitment to taking the AP test  Meetings will take place based on the schedule of students  Most likely after school

 The Constitution outlines what our government can and can’t do.  The Bill of Rights is the list of Amendments at the end of the Constitution that protects individual rights. In the Civil Rights movement people fought for the recognition of their rights as people. And won.

 The Constitution is the highest form of law in the United States. It is the way we measure whether laws are fair.  Due Process is the idea that the government must protect the legal rights of all citizens (a fair trial, etc.) The Original Bill of Rights was made up of ten amendments

 Kirk Bloodsworth was convicted in March of 1985 for the brutal killing and sexual assault of a nine year old girl. The victim was found dead in July of She had been strangled, raped, and beaten with a rock. Bloodsworth was arrested based on an anonymous call telling police that he was seen with the victim that day and an identification made by a witness from a police sketch that was based on the recollections of five eyewitnesses. At trial, all five witnesses testified that they had seen Bloodsworth with the victim. Also presented at trial was testimony that Bloodsworth had said that he had done something terrible that day that would affect his relationship with his wife. Additionally, he mentioned a bloody rock during the investigation. A shoe impression was found near the victim but a forensic analyst testified that he did not find any identifying features in the print.

Amendment One: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment Two: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

 Write a letter to President Obama discussing the Bill of Rights protections at issue in the Kirk Bloodsworth Case

Should it be illegal for Americans to be members of the KKK? Why or why not?

Objective: Describe the rights granted in the Bill of Rights, explain its purpose, and analyze its efficacy Guiding Question: What rights do we have as Americans and how can we stand up for them?

 Do Now: 5 min  Quote of the Day: 3 min  Notes:  Practice:  Exit Ticket:

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” -Albert Einstein

“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” - Thomas Jefferson

Freedoms of: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. 80 Americans “occupy” Wall Street in NYC to protest businesses that mistreat workers (2011)

The right to own a gun. The NRA argues that the 2 nd amendment means gun use shouldn’t be regulated.

Soldiers need permission to stay in your home. Because of our history with the British soldiers, Americans wanted to prevent this from happening.

They can’t search you or your property without a warrant/ a reason. In Arizona, a law passed that accepts racial profiling as reasonable cause.

 Right to a fair trial and due process.  Can’t be tried for the same crime twice.  Right to remain silent.

 Fast and public trial by jury  Right to a lawyer Before he was a President, Abraham Lincoln was a lawyer.

 Trial by jury (in civil cases) Why might this amendment be outdated? (Look at the quotation for clues!)

 Fair punishments that fit the crime. The U.S. is the only Western democracy to use death as a punishment.

 This list of rights can’t be used to deny us other rights. The Original Bill of Rights

 States’ Rights

 Right to vote no matter your race.  Political Incorporation – Bill of Rights applies to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment The Reconstruction Amendments were added after the Civil War, in 1968

 Women can vote. Passed in 1920 after women, who called themselves “suffragettes” fought for their rights.

 In a famous court case, a movie star is charged with murder. After a lengthy trial, the jury declares the actor “not guilty.” Several months after the trial is over, additional evidence is discovered that proves the actor committed a crime. Can the actor be tried again? Why or why not?  A local animal rights organization doesn’t like the city’s dog leash law. The organization organizes a protest march, making sure their permits are in order. The day of the march, the leader is jailed. Is the arrest legal? Why or why not?

 Walter Reed, the army hospital in DC, is too crowded with veterans who fought in Iraq. President Obama orders Washington area residents to house the veterans and feed them until the hospital is able to build more beds. The Supreme Court declares this unconstitutional. Why?  Mrs. Malone expels 30 students who started a petition against the EOC exams. The county says that the students cannot be expelled for this. Why?

 What is one question you have about unit 2a?

“I hope because I breathe.” -South Carolina Motto

 Do Now: 3 min  Quote of the Day: 3 min  AP Information: 3 min  Questions from Review Sheet: 10 min  Review Game: 30 min  Exit Ticket: 5 min