1. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

2. By the end of the lesson, the students will be able to…
Objectives
Agenda
By the end of the lesson, the students will be able to…
Distinguish civil rights from civil liberties
Create and identify scenarios relating to specific amendments
Analyze the impact of the Bill of Rights on daily life
Bill of Rights summary
Amendment scenario creations
“Can They Do That?” Amendment- Story matching
Standards: GC.35 Analyze the meaning and importance of each of the rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights and how each is secured (e.g., freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition, and privacy).

3. Warm Up
When you hear the phrase “Civil Rights and Civil Liberties” what terms or ideas come to mind?
What are some of the guarantees of the Bill of Rights?

4. Bill of Rights Debate?
Think back to the Federalists and Anti-Federalists… What were their stances on listing rights when writing the Constitution?
Federalists thought the gov’t would be strong enough to protect the rights of its citizens; thought it would be dangerous to write them down.
Anti-Federalists wanted rights listed in the Constitution.

5. Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties
The basic rights to be free from unequal treatment based on certain characteristics (race, gender, disability, etc.) in settings such as employment and housing
Civil Liberties
Basic rights and freedoms that are protected
Either explicitly identified in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, or interpreted through the years by courts and lawmakers

6. Civil Liberties
If civil liberties are found in the BoR, what are some of those guarantees?
Freedom of speech
The right to privacy
Freedom of religion
The right to be free from unreasonable searches of your home
The right to a fair court trial
The right to marry
The right to vote

7. Example
Based on the definition, is the following a violation of a civil right or a civil liberty?
Congress passes a law that police can search your home whenever they want to
Civil liberties
Your mom is denied a promotion at work because she is a woman
Civil rights

8. Bill of Rights Summary
By yourself, you will summarize your assigned amendment. Be sure to list all rights that are guaranteed in your amendment.
When you are done, you will get with other students who have your amendment and come up with a group summary.
Be prepared to share your summary!
15th Amendment
Actual Text: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Summary:

9. 1st
5th
2nd
6th
3rd
4th
8th

10. Court Cases Involving Civil Liberties
District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
Maryland v. King (2013)
New York Times v. United States (1971)

11. ACLU Nonpartisan, non-profit organization (1920)
Mission “Defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States”
Litigation, lobbying, community empowerment

12. Activity! You will be assigned a specific amendment. Keep it a secret!
With your group, develop a scenario where Congress passes a law where that amendment comes into play.
I need to check your scenario before you transfer it to your piece of paper!
EXAMPLE:
Congress passes a law that says one U.S. solider will be assigned to live in every house on the eastern coast.
Which amendment does this concern?
The 3rd Amendment

13. All right, let’s wrap it up!
Take everything off your desk except your amendment summaries and something to write with.
Read the scenarios and determine which amendment they are discussing.

14. I dyed my hair green because I wanted to make a statement
I dyed my hair green because I wanted to make a statement. I didn’t think that statement would be, “Search my backpack!” A police officer stopped me and said that he was going to search my backpack because he didn’t like my hair color. Do I have a right to privacy in this circumstance?
Amendment # ______
I was arrested 12 months ago. I’ve been accused of speeding, but I haven’t been given an opportunity 
to defend myself against the 
charge. I think they’re just going to leave me in this jail forever! Do I have a right to a speedy and fair trial?
I do not like our mayor at all. I think he has made some very bad choices and is not managing our town very well. I’m going to practice my free speech by writing a blog post about how I disagree with his leadership.
I am Buddhist, which means that I practice the religion of Buddhism. I just moved to a new town that has banned all religion. The sheriff has threated to arrest me if I don’t take an oath against religion. Do I have a right to practice religion?
As punishment for accidentally breaking my neighbor’s window, I have to replace all the windows that break in our town for the 
next year... while wearing a silly hat and embarrassing outfit! Do I have a right to fight my punishment?

15. Homework
Go to aclu.org
Find a court case that interests you and write an essay explaining the background of the case, the constitutional question, and the decision.
You will also need to include how this court case protects civil liberty.