Lesson 5: Bill of Rights

Introduction

Important Icon In this lesson, we will learn about The Bill of Rights and why we have them.  Important Icon

Focus Questions:

What are the Bill of Rights and what rights do they guarantee?

Bill of Rights

  In your journal:  Print the notes page and complete it as you go through the slides. If you do not have access to a printer, another option is to draw/write your notes page in your social studies journal.

Bill of Rights Notes Download Bill of Rights Notes

View the slideshow below to learn more about The Bill of Rights. In 5th grade, you do not need to memorize The Bill of Rights, but they are important to know. As you go through them, you will recognize some of them from our previous lessons.

To summarize, The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution. The idea behind the Bill of Rights was to ensure certain freedoms and rights to the citizens of America. It put limits on what the government could do and control. Freedoms protected include freedom of religion, speech, assembly, the right to bear arms, unreasonable search and seizure of your home, the right to a speedy trial, and more.

Photographic reproduction of the original Bill of Rights from PBS Learning Media.

 

Video

Watch the video below to learn a little more about The Bill of Rights and how they came to be.

 

Today, you learned about The Bill of Rights, how they came to be, why we have them, and what they protect. From our lessons thus far, you should have a good understanding of the rights you have as a U.S. citizen.