Most of these are pretty basic, but if you like them it still beats creating your own from scratch.
There’s a Powerpoint on writing the new constitution and a separate one doing little more than breaking down the Bill of Rights for easier discussion. I’ve also included a couple of graphic organizers I give my kids to help them break down the Constitution and its Amendments into plain, simple English.
There are TWO versions of the Bill of Rights G.O., one of which is simply the first page of the “Amendments” G.O. Some years I try it one way, some classes I’ll juggle it another… you know how it is.
The “Is That A Right?” PPT is new this year. I actually did it on Day One just to get them talking and thinking and give us a chance to discuss a few things instead of going over the syllabus together or some other banal brain-killing thing. I was pretty happy with it. I’ll even share the ‘cheat sheet’ I made myself so I didn’t screw up too badly on the first day. Not sure I referenced it much, but I always feel better having it.
There’s really no substitute for simply going through some of this stuff and discussing them together. It’s not particularly creative or pedagogically revolutionary, and it can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed, but surely it’s OK to talk to our kids every great once in awhile…?
I’m also tacking on a graphic organizer I usually only use with my lower performing classes. It’s built around several sections in a specific American History textbook, but I like to think it’s general enough to be easily adapted if you see fit. I don’t love it, but I seem to keep using it and so do several others in my department. You have been warned.
NOTE: Posted Powerpoints will show up as a page of garble if you merely click on them. You’ll need to RIGHT CLICK and choose SAVE LINK AS in order to download it to your computer.