Promises and Protections: Are Rights Equal for Everyone?
How have natural rights expanded over time since the beginnings of the United States?
Students will investigate whether natural rights have been equally protected for all people in the United States throughout history. Through analysis of constitutional rights, Jim Crow laws, voting rights expansion, and civic discussion, students will examine how rights and freedoms have been protected, limited, and expanded over time.
Objectives:
- Analyze how constitutional rights and freedoms have been protected or limited throughout United States history.
- Examine how voting rights expanded for some groups while remaining limited for others.
- Evaluate whether natural rights have been equally protected in practice.
- Use evidence from historical sources and class discussions to support claims.
Assessment:
Assessments Include:
- Jim Crow Source Analysis
- Voting Rights Discussion
- Collaborative Discussions
- Exit Ticket
Resources
Download Lesson
DownloadFeatured Lesson Plans
It Makes Sense! Common, That Is!
Students will trace the establishment of Republicanism in history using the primary sources including the Mayflower Compact, Common Sense, Declaration Of Independence, Articles Of Confederation, Constitution.
Pursuit of Happiness
In this lesson, students will investigate how Americans conceptualized the ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ at various points in history and how this relates to government action and their own individual civic virtue. Students watch a short video, examine excerpts from primary sources, and reflect on their own understanding of happiness through debate, dialogue, and writing. By the end of the lesson, students will evaluate whether it is more important to have a government of laws or a culture of individual civic virtue in order to promote the “pursuit of happiness.”
Protecting Rights
Students will analyze how government power has been defined and limited over time through Influences on the Founding, various Founding Documents, and landmark Supreme Court cases.