1. America “Land of the Free” A Story of America’s Rights and Liberties

2. A song recorded by Buffalo Springfield (1967) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp5JCrSXkJY a.What do you think this song is about i.e. what’s going on? b. Analyze each stanza of the song, and identify the rights or freedoms that are related to each verse. c. What do you think is the overall message of the songwriter? d. Discuss how For What It’s Worth relates to the Bill of Rights.

3. Directions: Analyze each piece of artwork below and connect it to one of the amendments listed in the Bill of Rights. Explain fully in two to three complete sentences why and how you think the artwork relates to the chosen amendment and discuss the current implications of this amendment for society. Be prepared to discuss your reasoning to the class.

4. Divide the class into groups of 3-4, and give students 15-20 minutes to name and describe their country and create a written Bill of Rights. Each group needs to record their answers. Then each team will briefly present their Bill of Rights to the class and provide rational for each of the rights. Then discuss the following questions with the whole class:

5. ArtWork #1 2nd Amendment – right to bear arms 1st Amendment – freedom of speech (symbolic speech)

6. ArtWork #2 1st Amendment – right to peaceable assembly 1st Amendment – right to free speech

7. Artwork #3 1st Amendment – right to assembly 1st Amendment – right to free speech

8. Artwork #4 1st Amendment – freedom of religion

9. ArtWork #5 6th amendment – right to public trial by impartial jury

10. ArtWork #6 5th amendment – accused cannot be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law 8th amendment – no cruel and unusual punishment

11. ArtWork #7 5th amendment – due process 6th amendment – speedy trial 6th amendment – accused informed of charges 6th amendment – right to an attorney

12. What was realistic about this simulation and what was not? What problems did your group face when creating the Bill of Rights? How did your group reach a consensus? Looking at all of the bills of rights produced by the class, what rights or freedoms seemed common to all or most of them? What does that say about our class and our culture? What generalizations can you make about the process of creating a bill of rights in a new country?

13. Respond to the following questions: a.What right listed in the Bill of Rights do you think is the most important to you as an individual and to American society in general? Defend your answer.

14. Respond to the following questions: b.What right(s) do you think should be included in the Bill of Rights that is/are presently absent? Explain. c.The Bill of Rights was written in 1791. How relevant or significant do you think they are today?

15. Respond to the following questions: d.Identify several examples of what you can do in your everyday life as a person living in the United States that are protected by the Bill of Rights

16. Decide whether the action is protected by the Constitution or not. Be prepared to discuss in class and defend your decision

17. Read, First Amendment Understanding Lacking article, analyze the article and write your response. Then be prepared to report your findings to the class on the questions at the end.

18. Read, The Internet vs. the First Amendment. The New York Times article “The Internet vs. the First Amendment” is an op-ed piece and reflects the author’s opinion. Analyze the article then review questions at the end and write your response, be prepared to defend your opinion to the class.

19. The Bill of Rights is a collection of additions and changes to the constitution. Each addition or change is called an “Amendment”. Below are the first ten amendments. For each Amendment, fill in the “in other words” section if it is not done for you (this means paraphrase the Amendment in your own words). Then use the t-chart to provide examples that your group can think of where these rights were either upheld or violated. This is an individual assignment. Be prepared to discuss in class and defend your statements Homework

20. Constitution United States Constitution government September 17, 1787 George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. Then the Constitution was written. The United States Constitution says how the government works. It was signed on September 17, 1787. Some of the men who signed it were George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams.

21. Patriots nation governmen Democracy The Patriots fighting for a new nation wanted to form a government that did not allow one person to have too much authority or control. They wanted the “people” to make decisions. Democracy is a part of our system because of that. United States PresidentRevolutionary War hero General George Washington The first United States President was Revolutionary War hero General George Washington.

22. ConstitutionAmerica’s ConstitutionPreamblePreamble “We the People…” The Constitution is a valuable part of America’s history. The first part of the Constitution is the called the Preamble. The Preamble begins with “We the People…” Click to the next slide to read it,

23. ConstitutionPreamble The first part of the Constitution is called the Preamble. It tells what our founding fathers set out to do W We the people In order to form a more perfect union, Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, Constitution USA Provide for the common defense, Promote the general welfare and Secure the blessings of liberty To ourselves and our posterity Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

24. America’sfreedom independence early settlers Patriots Declaration of Independence Constitution independence freedom America’s fight for freedom and independence was one fought hard by early settlers. That fight, loyal Patriots, documents like the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution is what brought independence and freedom to our country, but it wasn’t an easy path.

25. country Americans, freedom Patriots ndependence freedom, United States citizens American Now it is your job to appreciate the long journey that this country traveled since it’s early days. As Americans, everyone should treasure that freedom each and every day. Like the Patriots who fought so hard for independence and freedom, all United States citizens should be “Proud to be an American!”

26. If you have internet connected, you can listen to the preamble. Click on the links below. Listen to the Words of the Preamble "School House Rock" Preamble Listen to the Words of the Preamble "School House Rock" Preamble To see the words of the Preamble, click here. To see the words of the Preamble, click here. Written and Created by Stacy BodinStacy Bodin