Unit: The Bill of Rights

Unit: The Bill of Rights

Josh Vagi
8th Grade Social Studies
Algonquin Middle School
Algonac, Michigan

#	C Layer Assignments – 70 points maximum	Points Possible	Score Received
	Section 1 – Amendments 1-3
1	Step Up and Speak	10
2	Comparing 1^st Amendment Cases	5
3	What does the 1^st Amendment Say?	5
4	Speaking Out in School	5
5	Cyber bullying Opinion	5
6	Religion Clauses of the 1^st Amendment	5
7	Guarantees of the 1^st Amendment	5
8	1^st Amendment Opinion (see directions sheet)	10
9	1^st Amendment Learning Cube or Foldable (see sheet)	10
10	Do You Have a Right to “Bear Arms”?	10
11	The 2^nd Amendment – Reading and Questions	10
12	2^nd Amendment Limits (see directions sheet)	10
13	Find any “current event” article dealing with Amendments 1, 2 or 3 and summarize it in either 2 paragraphs or a 30 second spoken summary with teacher	5
14	“Draw” Amendments 1-3 (see directions sheet)	3 each
15	Video Skit – Amendments 1-3 (see directions sheet)	5
	Section 2 – Amendments 4-6
16	Liberty vs. Security – The 4^th Amendment	10
17	Right to Remain Silent Restricted?	5
18	5^th Amendment Learning Cube or Foldable (see sheet)	10
19	The Sixth Amendment Reading	5
20	Trial by Boiling Oil	5
21	Watch “You the Jury” and answer questions	5
22	Comparing Trial Systems from History	10
23	Deciding by Group – You are the Jury	5
24	The Jury System on Trial	5
25	6^th Amendment Learning Cube or Foldable (see sheet)	10
26	Find any “current event” article dealing with Amendments 4, 5 or 6 and summarize it in either 2 paragraphs or a 30 second spoken summary with teacher	5
27	“Draw” Amendments 4-6 (see directions sheet)	3 each
28	Video Skit – Amendments 4-6 (see directions sheet)	5
	Section 3 – Amendments 7-10
29	Considering the Constitution (7^th Amendment)	5
30	The Death Penalty Debate	5
31	The Right to Hang Laundry	5
32	7^th-10^th Amendment Learning Cube or Foldable (see sheet)	10
33	Find any “current event” article dealing with Amendments 7, 8, 9 or 10 and summarize it in either 2 paragraphs or a 30 second spoken summary with teacher	5
34	“Draw” Amendments 7-10 (see directions sheet)	3 each
35	Video Skit – Amendments 7-10 (see directions sheet)	5
	Section 4 – All 10 Together
36	Bill of Rights FIB Notes	5
37	Establishing Amendment Priorities	10
38	Bill of Rights Violations	10
39	Bill of Rights Review 1-10	5
40	The Bill of Non-Rights	10
41	Do the Bill of Rights Rap!	5
42	Bill of Rights True or False	5
43	The Need for a Bill of Rights	5
44	Amending the Constitution	5
45	Amazing Amendments	5
46	Constitution Facts Crossword	10
47	Brief Bio on James Madison	5
48	Any 1 activity from billofrightsinstitute.org (resources, students, play games)	5
49	Bill of Rights Vocabulary (flashcards, in pictures, foldable)	5
50	Video ending to “Losing the Bill of Rights” (see directions)	5
51	5 Point Awards (2)	10
	C Layer Totals

#	B Layer Assignment – Choose 1 of the following tasks. Answer each question completely. 15 points each.	Points Possible	Score
1	If you could add an amendment to the Constitution, what would it be and why would you add it?	15
2	If you could only pick one, which Amendment would you keep, and which would you eliminate from the Bill of Rights?	15
3	Create an informational poster, pamphlet or power point on the Bill of Rights for an immigrant. You don’t have to explain each Amendment, just an overview of the 10.	15
4	Write a rap/song/poem about the Bill of Rights that explains all 10 Amendments	15
5	Write a summary paper on the Bill of Rights (see direction sheet)	15
6	The meaning of the 2^nd Amendment paper (see direction sheet)	15
7	Create a pro-con “foldable” for any amendment (or part of amendment)	15
8	6^th Amendment paper – Pro/Con: Should the accused be able to see their accusers?	15
9	8^th Amendment paper – Pro/Con: Should the death penalty be constitutional?	15

SPECIAL A/B COMBO ASSIGNMENT

Complete the Bill of Rights Institute Essay Contest and enter your paper in the contest, following the guidelines for the contest on the website billofrightsinstitute.org/contest and be sure to utilize the resources on the website!

30 points are possible – see me for rubric.

#	A Layer Assignment – Choose 1 of the following tasks. Answer each question completely. 20 points each.	Points Possible	Score
1	Create a Bill of Rights board game that takes us through all 10 Amendments -20 questions	15
2	Write a fictional newspaper that highlights the passing of 2 Amendments (see sheet)	15
3	Rank the 3 most important amendments and defend your opinions	15
4	Recommend 3 improvements for the Bill of Rights – 1 change, 1 add, 1 delete	15
5	Which amendment (or part of amendment) has the greatest impact on our life? Why?	15
6	Bill of Rights Institute Essay Contest (Shortened Version – see directions)	15

Total Points ________ (Student should have approximately half of the points possible)

Mr. Vagi Signature ________________________ Ahead of Schedule On Target Behind

Parent Signature _____________________________Date_____________

Final Score (all layers, out of 100 possible) ________

Mr. Vagi Signature___________________________

Parent Signature _____________________________ Date_____________