Protecting Natural Rights: The Bill of Rights and Government Power
How can the government protect people’s natural rights?
Students will investigate how governments protect people’s natural rights by examining the Bill of Rights, grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence, and different forms of government. Through source analysis, collaborative discussion, and constructive dialogue activities, students will evaluate how democratic governments protect individual freedoms and how constitutional rights continue to shape civic life today.
Objectives:
- Explain how the Bill of Rights protects individual rights and limits government power.
- Analyze connections between grievances in the Declaration of Independence and protections in the Bill of Rights.
- Compare how different forms of government protect or limit people’s natural rights.
- Use evidence from primary and secondary sources to support claims and civic discussions.
Assessment:
- Bill of Rights Source Analysis
- Collaborative Discussions
- Foundations Exchange Activity Participation
- Constitutional Amendment Proposal
Resources
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In this lesson, students will first explore three primary sources that help students think about what the founding generation thought about the idea and ideal of equality. Students engage in inquiry by using the text of the primary sources to generate an answer to the first compelling question. Students then use evidence and reasoning to support their claim. In the second part of the lesson, students investigate additional primary sources to see how the ideals of human equality in the Declaration of Independence have inspired change throughout American history.
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