The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 16
Grade Level: 6-12
Duration of Video: 5 minutes, 52 seconds
Themes:
Creation of the United States government
The Constitution as the supreme law of the land
Checks and Balances
Separation of Powers
Bill of Rights
Individual rights and freedoms
US History
Illustration of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, two founding documents that established the framework of the United States government and protected individual rights and freedoms.
Description:
With clear explanations, interesting historical references, and engaging artwork, this video introduces students to the origins of the U.S. Constitution, why it was written, and how it created the framework for the United States government. Students also learn about the Bill of Rights and how these first ten amendments continue to protect the rights and freedoms of all Americans.
Lesson Plan:
🎯 OBJECTIVES (SWBAT)
Explain why the U.S. Constitution was created.
Describe why the Articles of Confederation were replaced.
Identify the three branches of government.
Explain the purpose of the Bill of Rights.
Answer analytical questions using evidence from the video
🧰 MATERIALS:
Smart board or computer and projector
Pencils or pens for each student
Computer or tablet access for each student
Poster boards for group work
Markers for students
📋 LESSON FLOW
Hook
Teacher says:
Imagine there were no traffic laws at all. What problems might happen?
Allow several students to respond.
Then ask: Why do groups of people need rules?
How can rules protect people instead of limiting them?
Say:
Today we’re going to learn about how the United States created a government with helpful rules that have lasted for more than 250 years.
Ask:
Do you think writing the U.S. Constitution was an easy task? Explain.
Background
Say: We are going to watch a video about the complicated process of writing the U.S. Constitution. To get the most out of the film, let’s look at a short timeline.
Partner Reading
Hand out Student Worksheet 1: The Road to the U.S. Constitution
Ask students to turn to their seat partner and take turns reading the brief timeline.
Before showing the film
Reunite the class and say:
As you watch the film, notice: What were the Founding Fathers most concerned about as they wrote the Constitution, and how did they resolve this concern?
Show the film
Show the video: The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights.
After the film, ask students:
What was the main concern that the Founding Fathers had, and how did they address this concern in the U.S. Constitution?
Partner Work
Hand out Student Worksheet 2: Understanding the Constitution, and ask students to complete it with their seat partners.
For students to answer the last part of the worksheet, click on the following link to show them how to use the link to read about each amendment in The Bill of Rights: National Archives: The Bill of Rights.
Reunite Class
Reunite the class and go over students’ answers to Student Worksheet 2: Understanding the Constitution
Optional Class Project
Divide the class into 10 groups and assign each group one of the 10 Amendments from the Bill of Rights.
Give each group a poster board and markers. Ask each group to create a drawing of their amendment and write on the poster why this amendment was important at the founding of our country and today.
Have each group share their posters with the rest of the class.
Hang up these posters in the classroom under a banner that reads: The Bill of Rights from the U.S. Constitution.
Optional Class Trip
Organize a class trip to visit the founding documents of the United States. Visit this website for more information: https://visit.archives.gov/
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