The US Constitution: Preamble and the Bill of Rights

The US Constitution: Preamble and the Bill of Rights

Lesson by Tim Bailey

Essay by Linda Monk

Grade Level: 3–5
Number of Class Periods: 4
Primary Era: The New Nation, 1783–1815

About This Lesson Plan Unit

Photo of the preamble to the United States Constitution

Over the course of four lessons the students will analyze and assess the Preamble to the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the US Constitution. To demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the documents, the students will answer critical thinking questions, summarize the meaning of the text, and restate it in their own words. They will also create an original drawing of a selected amendment that accurately conveys its meaning and significance.

Lesson Plan Author: Tim Bailey

Historical Background Essay by: Linda Monk

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Additional Information About This Unit

Common Core State Standards

Common Core State Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.2: Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text. 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 or 5 topic or subject area. 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.5: Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes. 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1D: Review the key ideas expressed and draw conclusions in light of information and knowledge gained from the discussions. 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.2: Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally. 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information. 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Essential Questions

Essential Questions

What good things did founders hope that a Constitution would provide? 

To ensure these good things, what rights did the Bill of Rights pledge to protect?

Documents

Documents

The Preamble to the United States Constitution

The Bill of Rights