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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights: Debating the Amendments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Provide your class with an opportunity to investigate an important historical document. Without identifying the document, distribute copies of the original Bill of Rights, as transcribed by John Beckley, Clerk of the House of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Father" of Our Country vs. "Father" of the Bill of Rights

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine the relevance of the Bill of Rights. In this Bill of Rights instructional activity, students study the parts of the Constitution and the ten amendments. They investigate the rights and responsibilities that accompany...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What price Freedom! Civil War and Reconstruction

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders become familiar with the events of Reconstruction and the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. In this reconstruction lesson, 5th graders work in pairs where each student  creates a building with blocks and draws it. Their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights: Debating the Amendments

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students research 12 possible amendments that were considered for the Constitution in 1789....
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Activity
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Semantic Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
A review of the U.S. Constitution is presented by topics and concepts. A full list of topics gives an alphabetical listing, that when clicked, provides the actual text.
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Website
US National Archives

Nara: Treasures of Congress: Progressive Reform: Direct Election of Senators

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out this amazing interactive site that shows you primary documents outlining the 17th amendment proposal (click on any document) for popular election of senators, provided by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
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Unknown Type
Other

Constitution Facts

For Students 9th - 10th
How much do you really know about the most important document in United States' history? Take the quiz and test your knowledge. If you need some additional information, click on the US Constitution and Amendments tab and play the...
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Lesson Plan
Other

Our Courts: Bill of Rights: You Mean I've Got Rights? [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A great, active lesson about the Bill of Rights. Students compare rights they think they should have with the rights in the actual amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The language of the amendments is broken down into simpler English so...
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Article
US Government Publishing Office

U.s. Government Publishing Office: First Through Tenth Amendments: Bill of Rights [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of how the First through Tenth Amendments to the Constitution came to be written.
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Primary
US Government Publishing Office

U.s. Government Publishing Office: Constitution of the United States of America: 16th Amendment Income Tax [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this text of the 16th Amendment, followed by the history of the Amendment and an analysis. (PDF)
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Unit Plan
National Constitution Center

National Constitution Center: Interactive Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a wonderful way to explore the US Constitution. The actual text of the Constitution comes first, then an excellent explanation of the text follows. In addition, most of the Amendments have essays by scholars on opposing sides of...
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
This unit explores the timeless qualities of The U.S. Constitution, the opportunities to amend it, and how it is a pillar of the American identity, through these activities, videos, and outside resources.
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Interactive
Library of Congress

Loc: Creating the United States: Creating the Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
As part of this 'Creating the United States' interactive resource, this section deals with creating The Bill of Rights. Connect particular phrases and ideas set down in The Bill of Rights with texts that preceded it.
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Primary
Digital History

Digital History: The Constitution [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Find the text of the Constitution and amendments along with an explanation of each article and section. [pdf]
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
Find a list of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and see why these additions were made to the ruling document.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: United States Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia article from Wikipedia gives some background history to the creation of the Bill of Rights and contains a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Bill of Rights

For Students 4th - 8th
The Constitution spelled out the powers of the national government, but many Anti-federalists felt there should be equally explicit a guarantee of individual rights. Read about the compiliation of what became known as the Bill of Rights...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: After the Fact: Virginia, New Yok, and "The Federalist Papers"

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about the necessity for Virginia and New York to support the ratification of the Constitution. See what influenced the vote in Virginia and how the legislature of New York was finally convinced.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Radical Reconstruction

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about the frustration the Radical Republicans in Congress had with the Reconstruction plans of Andrew Johnson. Find out what legislation they were able to pass over Johnson's veto, and how they attempted to protect emancipated...
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Amending the Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
The Constitution can be amended, but it is tough to do. Read about the routes that can be taken to add amendments and look at some of the amendments that have succeeded.
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Website
Scholastic

Scholastic: u.s. Constitution Changes With the Times

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Clear, concise overview of the "voting" amendments to the Constitution. Includes quotes from 20th century Justices and Presidents about Amendments they thought were needed.
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Lesson Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress Link: Teaching the Amendments Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This online lesson plan teaches students "The amendments to the Constitution through the use of CongressLink, Internet resources, and creative activities." Students will also gain a sense that "Many rights are limited and controversial."
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Article
Other

1890 Poll Tax List, Valencia County, Nm

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an interesting list to view; although there is no additional information, scrolling through names will give a student the idea of those people who lived in the area and were expected to pay the tax to vote.