With the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791, Americans were guaranteed specific rights and liberties that would protect their individualism and freedom and limit the power of government. These activities allow students to display their knowledge of what the Bill of Rights is and how it impacts their daily lives.
Life Without the Bill of Rights - Have students detail what life would be like without the first ten amendments. They can even make it personal and think about what their own life would be like!
Storyboard Text
Life Without the 1st Amendment
You must only follow government-sponsored religion. You are under arrest!
Life Without The 3rd Amendment
What are you doing in my house? Is that my spaghetti?
Life Without the 8th Amendment
You're found guilty of stealing from the candy store! You are sentenced to eat your weight in candy...in 10 minutes...or you get the electric chair!
In this scenario, the police are arresting the priest for practicing his religion. Under the 1st Amendment in the Bill of Rights, each citizen has the right to practice any religion they desire.
By the 3rd Amendment, the government cannot quarter, or house, soldiers in the private homes of citizens, without permission. In this scenario, a man is coming home to a house full of soldiers.
In this scenario, a man is found guilty of petty theft and is being punished by eating his weight in candy or being executed. In the 8th amendment, the courts cannot enforce "cruel or unusual punishment" on a guilty party.