Teaching the Bill of Rights and the Amendments

Great opening discussion questions:
1.If the US was being taken over, and the new dictator said you were getting all of your rights taken away except three of the amendments, which would you choose? Why?
..... Make the WHOLE class agree.

2. If you were to come up with a 28th amendment, what would it be?

3. Look at all of the movies you have seen, or any movies for that matter. Come up with scenes that demonstrate the Bill of Rights. For example, in the classic tale of the Little Mermaid- she hands over her voice. A direct infringement on the first amendment. Think of all of the cruel and unusual punishment that is in movies as well. Students are pretty quick at coming up with them.

In class activities:
There are all sorts of scavenger hunt activities out there, giving students a true life scenario and asking them which amendment or article it breaks or supports in the Constitution. It gives the amendments meaning.

Take the School Handbook- have the kids read it (many of them, for the first time in their lives) and have them apply it to the amendments. Which are being "broken?" Which are being upheld? Is the dress code breaking Freedom of Expression? Is the appeals process for suspension upheld by the 5th? A great activity to keep them occupied for a least 45 minutes.

....WHATEVER YOU DO- DON'T MAKE YOUR KIDS MEMORIZE THE AMENDMENTS. The number doesn't matter- what is important that they kids can see how they apply to their own lives and really do matter.