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DocsTeachThe online tool for teaching with documents, from the National Archives National Archives Foundation National Archives

The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights

Seeing the Big Picture

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The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights

About this Activity

  • Created by:National Archives Education Team
  • Historical Era:Across Eras: Civics & Government
  • Thinking Skill:Historical Comprehension
  • Bloom's Taxonomy:Analyzing
  • Grade Level:Upper Elementary
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Please use a tablet or desktop computer to use this activity.
In this activity for upper elementary grades, school students will analyze primary sources and match them with the rights extended to Americans by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
https://www.docsteach.org/activities/student/the-first-amendment-of-the-bill-of-rights

Suggested Teaching Instructions

This activity may be taught following an introduction to the Bill of Rights and First Amendment. For grades 3-5.  Approximate time needed is 20-30 minutes.

Choose one document in the grid to model careful document analysis and matching for students.

Students should match each document with the specific right in the First Amendment that it best illustrates.  This activity may also be completed by dividing the class into pairs or small groups.

After concluding the activity, lead a discussion with students about the documents they examined.

Ask students to determine which right they feel is the most important to them.  Direct students to write a paragraph on which right they feel is the most important and why.

Documents in this activity

  • Bill of Rights
  • Chinese Buddhists at the Temple of Enlightenment, Bronx, New York
  • Douglas Fairbanks, movie star, speaking in front of the Sub-Treasury building, New York City.
  • Gas Rationing System (Odd-Even Plan) is Announced
  • Peace Petition to Congress
  • Photograph of Leaders at the Head of the Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C.
  • The Bill of Rights and Beyond

CC0
To the extent possible under law, National Archives Education Team has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to "The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights".

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