Bill of Rights and Economic Freedoms: A Project
Created byBenjamin Fry
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Bill of Rights and Economic Freedoms: A Project

Grade 12HistorySocial Studies5 days
In this project, students explore the Bill of Rights and economic rights, analyzing their historical context, landmark Supreme Court cases, and contemporary relevance. Students conduct in-depth research on individual rights from the Bill of Rights, examining their evolution and challenges. They also investigate economic rights, their legal basis, and impact on individuals and society, culminating in advocacy presentations. The project aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of individual liberties and economic freedoms, encouraging students to propose solutions to contemporary challenges while promoting a just society.
Bill Of RightsEconomic RightsIndividual LibertiesSupreme Court CasesContemporary RelevanceEconomic Freedoms
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as informed citizens, ensure the Bill of Rights and economic rights adapt to contemporary challenges while safeguarding individual liberties and promoting a just society?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How does the Bill of Rights protect individual liberties from government intrusion, and what are the implications of these protections for a democratic society?
  • In what ways do economic rights empower individuals and contribute to societal well-being, and how are these rights balanced with the needs of the community?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to explain the meaning and importance of each right in the Bill of Rights.
  • Students will be able to analyze how each right in the Bill of Rights is secured.
  • Students will be able to explain how economic rights are secured.
  • Students will be able to evaluate the importance of economic rights to individuals and society.
  • Students will be able to propose solutions to contemporary challenges related to the Bill of Rights and economic rights.

Teacher Specified

id1
Primary
Discuss the meaning and importance of each of the rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights and how each is secured (e.g., freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition, privacy).Reason: Directly addresses the content of the project.
id2
Primary
Explain how economic rights are secured and their importance to the individual and to society (e.g., the right to acquire, use, transfer, and dispose of property; right to choose one’s work; right to join or not join labor unions; copyright and patent).Reason: Directly addresses the content of the project.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

'Bill of Rights in the News' Media Analysis

Students analyze current news stories through the lens of the Bill of Rights, identifying which rights are implicated and how. This could involve creating their own 'news' segment or podcast discussing the rights. This promotes media literacy and connects abstract concepts to real-world events, sparking discussion on the application and limitations of these rights.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Rights Researcher: Bill of Rights Deep Dive

Students select one right from the Bill of Rights and conduct in-depth research on its historical context, landmark Supreme Court cases, and contemporary relevance. This activity aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of individual rights and their interpretation over time.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose one right from the Bill of Rights that interests you the most.
2. Research the historical context of your chosen right: When was it established? Why was it included in the Bill of Rights? What were the concerns or issues at the time?
3. Identify and summarize at least three landmark Supreme Court cases related to your chosen right. What were the key arguments and decisions in these cases?
4. Analyze the contemporary relevance of your chosen right. How is it being debated or challenged in today's society? Are there any current events or legal cases that highlight its importance?

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed research report that includes historical context, case summaries, and contemporary relevance of the selected right from the Bill of Rights.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goals related to explaining the meaning and importance of rights in the Bill of Rights and analyzing how each right is secured. Aligns with standard id1 by exploring the meaning, importance, and security of rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights.
Activity 2

Economic Rights Advocate: Securing Economic Freedoms

Students will investigate one of the listed economic rights, examining its legal basis, practical applications, and impact on individuals and society. They will create a presentation to advocate for the importance of their chosen economic right.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select one economic right: the right to acquire, use, transfer, and dispose of property; the right to choose one’s work; the right to join or not join labor unions; or copyright and patent.
2. Research the legal basis and historical context of your chosen economic right. Where is it protected in law or policy? How has its interpretation evolved over time?
3. Gather examples of how this economic right impacts individuals and society. How does it empower individuals? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks for society?
4. Prepare a presentation (e.g., slideshow, video, or speech) advocating for the importance of your chosen economic right. Be sure to include evidence and examples to support your claims.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation advocating for the importance of the chosen economic right, supported by research and examples.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goals related to explaining how economic rights are secured and evaluating their importance to individuals and society. Aligns with standard id2 by explaining how economic rights are secured and their importance to the individual and to society.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Bill of Rights and Economic Rights Portfolio Rubric

Category 1

Research & Analysis: Bill of Rights

Demonstrates depth of research, critical analysis, and understanding of the historical context, Supreme Court cases, and contemporary relevance of a chosen right from the Bill of Rights.
Criterion 1

Historical Context

Accuracy and depth of understanding regarding the historical origins and development of the chosen right.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the historical context, including original intent and societal influences.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the historical context, including the key events and figures.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates a basic understanding of the historical context, but may have gaps in knowledge or understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates a limited or inaccurate understanding of the historical context.

Criterion 2

Supreme Court Case Analysis

Quality and depth of analysis of landmark Supreme Court cases related to the chosen right, including key arguments and decisions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides insightful and comprehensive analysis of multiple landmark cases, demonstrating a deep understanding of their legal and social impact.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides clear and accurate summaries of key arguments and decisions in multiple landmark cases.

Developing
2 Points

Summarizes at least one landmark case, but may lack depth or accuracy in analysis.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify or summarize relevant Supreme Court cases.

Criterion 3

Contemporary Relevance

Ability to analyze the ongoing relevance and contemporary challenges to the chosen right, demonstrating critical thinking.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a sophisticated analysis of the right's contemporary relevance, including insightful perspectives on current debates and challenges.

Proficient
3 Points

Explains the right's contemporary relevance, identifying current debates and challenges.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some aspects of the right's contemporary relevance, but may lack depth or critical analysis.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to connect the chosen right to contemporary issues or events.

Category 2

Research & Analysis: Economic Rights

Demonstrates understanding of the legal basis, practical applications, and societal impact of a chosen economic right.
Criterion 1

Legal Basis & Historical Context

Accuracy and depth of understanding of the legal and policy foundations of the chosen economic right.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the legal and policy foundations, including historical evolution and varying interpretations.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the legal and policy foundations, citing relevant laws and policies.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates a basic understanding of the legal basis, but may have gaps in knowledge or understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates a limited or inaccurate understanding of the legal basis.

Criterion 2

Impact on Individuals & Society

Quality of analysis regarding the effects of the chosen economic right on individuals and society, including benefits and drawbacks.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides insightful and comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted impacts on individuals and society, weighing benefits and drawbacks with nuance.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides clear and accurate examples of the impacts on individuals and society, discussing both benefits and drawbacks.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some impacts on individuals and/or society, but may lack balance or depth.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify or explain the impact of the chosen economic right.

Category 3

Advocacy & Communication

Effectiveness and persuasiveness of the presentation advocating for the importance of the chosen economic right.
Criterion 1

Clarity & Organization

Clarity, logical flow, and organization of the presentation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents information in a highly clear, concise, and logically organized manner, enhancing the persuasiveness of the argument.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents information in a clear and logically organized manner.

Developing
2 Points

Presents information in a somewhat organized manner, but clarity may be lacking at times.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents information in a disorganized and unclear manner.

Criterion 2

Evidence & Persuasion

Strength of evidence and persuasiveness of the arguments presented in support of the chosen economic right.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents compelling evidence and arguments that effectively persuade the audience of the importance of the chosen economic right.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents strong evidence and arguments in support of the chosen economic right.

Developing
2 Points

Presents some evidence and arguments, but they may not be fully convincing or well-supported.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents weak or irrelevant evidence and arguments.

Criterion 3

Presentation Quality

Overall quality and engagement of the presentation (e.g., visual aids, delivery).

Exemplary
4 Points

The presentation is exceptionally engaging, visually appealing, and professionally delivered, enhancing the audience's understanding and appreciation of the topic.

Proficient
3 Points

The presentation is engaging, visually appealing, and well-delivered.

Developing
2 Points

The presentation is adequate, but may lack visual appeal or engagement.

Beginning
1 Points

The presentation is poorly delivered and lacks visual appeal.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How has your understanding of the Bill of Rights and economic rights evolved throughout this project?

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Question 2

Which activity (Rights Researcher or Economic Rights Advocate) did you find more impactful in understanding the complexities of rights, and why?

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Question 3

To what extent do you believe the Bill of Rights and economic rights are adequately protected in contemporary society?

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Question 4

What is one action you can take as an informed citizen to ensure these rights adapt to contemporary challenges and promote a just society?

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