First Amendment Lesson Plan. Subject: U.S. Government Teacher: Kelly Vallance Unit: Bill of Rights Grade: 12 Lesson: First Amendment # of students: 20

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1 First Amendment Lesson Plan General Information: Subject: U.S. Government Teacher: Kelly Vallance Unit: Bill of Rights Grade: 12 Lesson: First Amendment # of students: 20 II. Big Question: What is the First Amendment? What rights does it protect? How the First Amendment important to you in your daily life? III. Content Narrative/Rationale: This lesson is designed to allow students to examine the importance of the First Amendment in American society. The students will be able to independently research the amendment using resources on the internet and in their books to complete the concept map. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of expression in the form of free speech, press, assembly, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The First Amendment also implies the rights of association and belief. The First Amendment as it is implied is one of the fundamental principles upon which American ideals are based. Americans are able to enjoy the freedom of thinking, believing, and speaking about what they believe in. This is a right that is not enjoyed by many people in more repressive societies. IV. Goal: Students will be able to complete the concept map based on their independent research covering the First Amendment. They will be able to define the rights established in the First Amendment, important court cases, and why the amendment is so important to society. Students will also be able to reflect on what the First Amendment means to them and their family in their daily lives. V. How does this fit into the lesson unit? This lesson will be part of the unit on the Bill of Rights, the students will be creating concept maps for the entire Bill of Rights. VI. Lesson Objectives Obj1 1. TSWBAT to research various resources such as textbooks and the Internet to gather information for the graphic organizer. (Research) Obj2 2. TSWBAT to synthesize all the information from the various resources in order to organize the data on the concept map. (Organize) Obj3 3. TSWBAT to interpret the importance of the First Amendment to society and to each of them personally by writing a reflection on and specific example of when they have used their First Amendment rights. (Interpret) VII. NCSS Standards For this lesson the NCSS standard VI. Power, Authority, and Governance was chosen. Power, Authority, and Governance NCSS VI. TSWBAT: identify the Power, Authority, and Governance that is established by the Bill of Rights within the United States government. The students will be able to define the rights

2 that are guaranteed in the First Amendment, and describe their importance by citing specific court cases and instances where these rights are present in their own lives. VIII. Virginia Standards of Learning GOVT. 11 The Student will demonstrate knowledge of civil liberties and civil rights by a) examining the Bill of Rights, with emphasis on First Amendment freedoms; IX. Essential Understandings, Knowledge and Skills 1.) The students will be able to identify the freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment. They will be able to explain freedom of speech as it pertains to not only actual speaking in public, but also written documents, art, symbols, paintings, as determined by influential court cases. The First Amendment also guarantees the right to assembly, citizens may assemble peacefully and implicit in this right is the freedom of association and belief. This right helps to establish the freedom of religion and enforces the separation of Church and State. The First Amendment also establishes the freedom of the press, in that it allows people to express themselves through publication and dissemination. Finally, students should understand right to petition the government for a redress of grievances which basically gives people the right to ask the government to provide relief for a wrong through the courts or other governmental action GOVT. 11 (a) X. Prerequisite Skills Students must have knowledge of the basic rights established in the Bill of Rights, or at the least they can identify how they themselves or their parents exercise these rights as a U.S. citizen. XI. Lesson Format: Day 1 Lesson Format: Day 2 Objectives Method/Activity Time Obj 3 Just Do It: Please answer the Just Do It question for a participation grade. Be prepared to share your answers with the rest of the class. What rights do you value as an American citizen? Begin discussion with class about some of the rights they enjoy that were established by the Bill of Rights. What do they think is important to them? How do they exercise their rights? 5 min

3 Obj 1 Obj 2 Research: Pass out Graphic Organizer and Research Guide before going to the computer lab to do research. Directions: Material B Students will be given the remainder of the class period to use the Internet and their books to complete the Graphic Organizer. Discuss the Graphic Organizer as a class: What kinds of things did they discover from their research that they would like to know more about? How do we use our First Amendment rights as students, teachers, and members of the community? 35 min Objective Method/Activity Time Obj 3 NCSS VI. Homework/ Writing Activity: Material B Directions: Write a reflection: How does the First Amendment influence you? In what instances have you exercised your First Amendment rights? Why do you think these rights are so important? Turn in the finished Graphic Organizer and Reflection together the following day for assessment. 10 min at home Assessment: Formative Assessment: Students are assessed during the lesson based on their individual performances. The teacher will assess their dedication to completing an adequate amount of research while in the computer lab. This assessment will be completed through methods of observation and questioning during the lesson. Summative Assessment: Summative assessments items in this lesson are: 1.) Adequate completion of Graphic Organizer 2.) Reflective Writing Activity (draw connections to personal experiences, demonstrates an understanding of the rights established in the First Amendment). XII. Lesson Modification This lesson can be modified by enlarging the Graphic Organizer that is provided, and assistance navigating the internet and reading information aloud for those students with a visual deficit. All directions have been written down and provided in the handout. Individual modifications can be made according to students Individualized Education Plans.

4 IX. Materials and Equipment All of the following materials are provided in section X, except actual computers necessary for the research portion of the lesson. Material A: Just Do It Overhead Material B: Research Guide Material C: Graphic Organizer Material D: Outline Notes

5 Material A: Just Do It: Please answer the Just Do It question for a participation grade. Be prepared to share your answers with the rest of the class. What rights do you value as an American citizen?

6 Material B: Graphic Organizer: First Amendment Assignment: Use the resources listed below to start your research on the First Amendment, use the information you gather to complete the graphic organizer. Research Guide: Feel free to use whatever research tools you feel comfortable using to complete the concept map activity. Resources Available to you: 1. Classroom textbook 2. Internet The sites below contain all the information you need to complete the graphic organizer: This site gives a nice overview of the First Amendment This site describes many of the court cases through out history that have challenged the interpretation of the First Amendment, and helped to define it for future citizens. This site also lists other unique cases concerning the First Amendment Homework/ Writing Activity: Directions: Write a 1 page reflection: How does the First Amendment influence you? In what instances have you exercised your First Amendment rights? Why do you think these rights are so important? Turn in the finished Graphic Organizer and Reflection together the following day for assessment. Material C:

7 What are the two clauses of the First Amendment concerning religion? What are the rights guaranteed in the first Amendment? First Amendment Why is this amendment so important? What court cases have helped to further define the 1st Amendment? Explain their importance.

8 Material D: Outline Notes: First Amendment I. What are the rights guaranteed in the first Amendment? A. B. C. D. II. Why is this amendment so important? A. III. What court cases have helped to further define the 1st Amendment? Explain their importance. A. B. C. D. IV. What are the two clauses to the First Amendment concerning religion? A. B.

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