Introduction

When you hear the words "freedom, liberty, and rights," what comes to mind? What freedoms do you hold most dear? What guarantees those freedoms?

In the United States of America, we are blessed to have freedoms that many people around the world can only dream of having. Many of those rights were not originally stated in the U.S. Constitution; they had to be added through the amendment process. The Bill of Rights includes the first ten amendments to the Constitution. These amendments protect our rights as citizens. Let's learn about them!

See larger version of the Bill of Rights here.

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • Explain why the Bill of Rights is a key element of the Constitution

Essential Questions

  • Why is the Bill of Rights essential to the protection of our basic rights?

Enduring Understandings

  • The United States Constitution provides the structure of the United States government and was created by the Founders to be a living document.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: United States History I standards: 4 and 4.1.