Examining the Second Amendment to the Constitution

Grades7-12

Subject-History/Social Studies

Time for completion 1-2 40 min. classes

Activity 1.

Summary
Students learn about the Second Amendment to the Constitution and define specific vocabulary. After completing the activity, have a classroom discussion about the time period and why the Bill of Rights was added. This lesson begins to lay the groundwork for students so that they can understand the history of gun use in America. Once they complete a number of activities, they will be more informed and will be able to debate and complete more complex projects on the topic.

Objectives:

• Students will use reading and writing to understand content material
• To empower students by allowing them to examine historical events and discuss individual interpretations of events.
• Students will write to acquire new knowledge, clarify their thinking, synthesize the new information and communicate with others.
• Students will use technology to complete basic information tasks, evaluate websites and use a program to facilitate communication between students and teacher.

Technology Integration-this activity can be done in Noteshare or can be done using word processing.  Google document is an alternative to Noteshare where students can collaborate on a shared document. Students can use the dictionary loaded on the laptop or can use an online source.

Procedure:

Students are arranged in groups of 4-5 with laptops. One student shares a Group Notebook with the embedded student handout. The other students go to "Open shared Notebook". Students decide who will read the First and Second amendment or if they will read silently. After reading the Second amendment the group will divide the vocabulary words and define them. By sharing the pen in Noteshare, they can choose their own color and write their initials when they contribute. Together they answer the questions on the Second amendment.
Teachers- have a Homework Notebook all prepared with Sections for each of the student groups. When the collaborative assignment is completed, the one person who opened the Shared Notebook in each group can pass in the Folio Page to their corresponding Section in the teachers Shared Homework Notebook.
When the pages are all sent to the teacher's Notebook, go over the vocabulary definitions and have a whole class discussion about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and specifically, the Second Amendment.

Cooperative Learning- This activity is best done in groups of 3-5 students. Collaborating and working together on the vocabulary reinforces the lesson. Also, for the whole class discussion, they can function as an interdependent group when responding.

Materials:
Laptop, Noteshare or a word processing program
Student handout embedded in the Shared Notebook