DO I HAVE A RIGHT? TEACHING BUNDLE
Learning Objectives. Students will be able to:
Describe the arguments for and against listing
people’s rights in the Constitution (Bill of Rights).
Identify key rights granted by the Bill of Rights
and the 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, and 26th
Amendments
Recall the specific amendment that guarantees a
particular right
Recognize complaints not involving constitutional
rights
Time Needed: Approx. 3 class periods
Materials/Equipment:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Access to iCivics.org for game play
Interactive white board (optional but ideal)
Teaching bundle PowerPoint presentation
Student worksheets
Copy Instructions:
Student Activities (2 pages; class set)
Assessment (1 page; class set)
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Teacher’s Guide
Display the “What Does it Mean to Have a Right?”
activity slide.
Ask students to brainstorm their ideas on the
paper handout, then call on students to write their
ideas on the board.
Save a copy of the slide with the students’ ideas if
you are using an interactive whiteboard.
Work through the next three slides, pausing for
discussion on each slide.
Display the “Constitutional Amendments” slide.
Ask students to do the activity on their paper
handouts first, then call on students to highlight
or underline the rights on the board if you are
using an interactive whiteboard.
Direct students to iCivics.org and have them play
the game Do I Have a Right? Alternatively, you
can try having the class play as a group using your
interactive whiteboard.
Display the “Rights Scramble!” activity slide. Call
on students to come to the board and identify
the amendments by dragging the numbers. (If you
wish, have them complete the paper version first.)
Display the “Rights Decoder” activity slide. Call
on students to come to the board and drag the
puzzle pieces to match the rights with the
constitutional language. (If you wish, have them
complete the paper version first by drawing lines to
match puzzle pieces.)
Display the “Check Out the Real Deal” slide and
be sure you are in presentation mode. Click the
Constitution image to access an online transcript.
Call on students to come to the board and mark
rights they recognize.
Work through the Mini Quiz slides, pausing to
discuss and review with each slide.
Distribute and assign the paper version of the
assessment if you wish.
Download the PowerPoint presentation. It
contains all the activities for the teaching bundle.
Photocopy and distribute the paper version of
the student activities if you want students to have
them. (You can teach the bundle without paper if
you wish.)
© 2016 iCivics, Inc. You may copy, distribute, or transmit this work for noncommercial purposes only. This copyright notice or a legally valid equivalent such as “©2016 iCivics, Inc.” shall be
included in all such copies, distributions or transmittals. All other rights reserved. Find this lesson and other materials at www.iCivics.org.
Do I Have a Right? Name:
Lesson Activities
A. What Does it Mean to Have a Right? How would you explain it to someone? Or think about it this
way: How would you know you did NOT have a right? List everything you can think of!
B. Constitutional Amendments. Each amendment has a number. An amendment can list more than
one right. There are at least 6 rights in this one! Underline as many as you can find.
VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
© 2016 iCivics, Inc.
Do I Have a Right? Name:
Follow-Up Activities
C. Rights Scramble. Label each right with the amendment where it’s found.
D. Rights Decoder! Can you match the rights from the game with their actual language in the
Constitution? Draw lines to make pairs.
© 2016 iCivics, Inc.
12.
Do I Have a Right? Mini-Quiz Name:
Mini-Quiz
A. Do You Have a Right? Mark “Yes” if the Constitution protects the right and “No” if it does not.
Does the Constitution protect... YES NO
1. Your right to practice whatever religion you choose?
2. Your right to watch late-night television instead of going to bed?
3. Your right to a trial that takes place quickly (if you’re accused of a crime)?
4. Your right to vote when you turn 18?
5. Your right to search other people’s backpacks?
B. Choose the best answer for each of the following:
6. Who can you enforce
Constitutional rights against?
7. Constitutional rights are
mainly found in...
8. To enforce your constitutional
rights, you would hire a...
A. Parents
B. The government
C. Other people
A. Client
B. Lawyer
C. Judge
D. Police officer
A. Additions called
amendments
B. The main parts of the
Constitution
C. Lists made by early
Americans
C. List a constitutional right that fits each
category and is NOT in the table above:
9. They can’t treat me this way:
D. Make up a case in which Bob does NOT
have a constitutional right:
10. They can’t stop me from doing this:
11. They can’t force me to do this:
© 2016 iCivics, Inc.
Do I Have a Right? Name:
Lesson Activities
A. What Does it Mean to Have a Right? How would you explain it to someone? Or think about it this
way: How would you know you did NOT have a right? List everything you can think of!
B. Constitutional Amendments. Each amendment has a number. An amendment can list more than
one right. There are at least 6 rights in this one! Underline as many as you can find.
VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
** TEACHER GUIDE **
Answers will vary
© 2016 iCivics, Inc.
Do I Have a Right? Name:
Follow-Up Activities
C. Rights Scramble. Label each right with the amendment where it’s found.
D. Rights Decoder! Can you match the rights from the game with their actual language in the
Constitution? Draw lines to make pairs.
** TEACHER GUIDE **
© 2016 iCivics, Inc.
12.
Do I Have a Right? Mini-Quiz Name:
Mini-Quiz
A. Do You Have a Right? Mark “Yes” if the Constitution protects the right and “No” if it does not.
Does the Constitution protect... YES NO
1. Your right to practice whatever religion you choose? X
2. Your right to watch late-night television instead of going to bed? X
3. Your right to a trial that takes place quickly (if you’re accused of a crime)? X
4. Your right to vote when you turn 18? X
5. Your right to search other people’s backpacks? X
B. Choose the best answer for each of the following:
6. Who can you enforce
Constitutional rights against?
7. Constitutional rights are
mainly found in...
8. To enforce your constitutional
rights, you would hire a...
A. Parents
B. The government
C. Other people
A. Client
B. Lawyer
C. Judge
D. Police officer
A. Additions called
amendments
B. The main parts of the
Constitution
C. Lists made by early
Americans
C. List a constitutional right that fits each
category and is NOT in the table above:
9. They can’t treat me this way:
D. Make up a case in which Bob does NOT
have a constitutional right:
10. They can’t stop me from doing this:
11. They can’t force me to do this:
** TEACHER GUIDE **
Ex from the game: unreasonable searches, double jeopardy, take property w/o fair compensation, cruel punishment, slavery, unequal treatment,
deny right to vote based on race or sex
Ex from the game: speak/express self, own ordinary weapons, vote if you’re female or a member of a certain race
Ex from the game: let soldiers live in your house; practice a government-established religion
Answers will vary
© 2016 iCivics, Inc.