6.7 – Think and Apply Activity 2
Before beginning this activity, review this brief summary of the reading text for Module 6: Bill of Rights and Constitutional Amendments.
The U.S. Constitution, written in the late 1700s and ratified in 1789, has 27 amendments that expand and protect the rights of the people. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were added in 1791 to ensure individual freedoms like speech, religion, and fair legal treatment. Later amendments have to do with voting rights, citizenship, government powers, and equality. Over time, various groups have fought to protect and expand their rights through protests, legal action, and activism. The Constitution is considered a “living document” because it continues to evolve with society.
The Role of the Bill of Rights
The following lists the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These additions are known as the Bill of Rights.
- Amendment #1: Freedom of religion, speech, press, gathering in a group
- Amendment #2: Right to own or have guns/weapons
- Amendment #3: People don’t have to let soldiers live in their homes during war/conflict
- Amendment #4: No searches without a good reason
- Amendment #5: Rights during trial
- Amendment #6: Rights if you are charged with a crime
- Amendment #7: Right to have trial with a jury in court
- Amendment #8: No fines or punishments too large
- Amendment #9: People have other rights that aren’t listed
- Amendment #10: The states can make laws, too
Which of these amendments is shown in each of the photos below? What clues in the pictures helped you decide what amendment was being shown?
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2. 
3. 
4. 
[Credit 1 / Credit 2 / Credit 3 / Credit 4]
[Answers: 1. Amendment #7; 2. Amendment #1; 3. Amendment #2; 4. Amendment #4]
Do you believe that other rights should be added to the Bill of Rights? Discuss briefly as a class.
Then do a quick write in your notebooks about this question for 5-10 minutes. To help you get started, you can complete this sentence:
| I believe that the right to ____________________________ should be added to the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights. This right should be added because _______________________________________. |
|---|
As a class, share some of your responses. Whose ideas were the best? Vote on the best idea!
