The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution are known as the "Bill of Rights" .  Although this document was written over 212 years ago, we can still see the influence this living document has in shaping our modern society.  The First Amendment is the most well known part of the Bill of Rights.  Its effects are evident throughout our daily lives in the United States.  This activity will attempt to illustrate how even in our technologically advanced 21st century culture, the First Amendment is still remains relevant and evident in our daily lives.

 Directions: (Download a hardcopy of the directions here.)

 Follow the steps listed below to complete this activity.  You will need to use your critical thinking and writing skills in order to achieve success of this assignment.

 *Before you begin, download a copy of the "Bill of Rights Activity Worksheet" by clicking here.  Your answers should be added to this document in "Microsoft Word".

 Step #1 : Click on the section titled "A Brief History of the Bill of Rights".  This step will review the historical background we have already discussed about the "Bill of Rights" .  For this step you will need to read the information on the page.  Answer the question dealing with the passage on the electronic worksheet you downloaded.  When you have finished reading all of the information, move onto step #2 "What does the First Amendment say?" by clicking on the side menu or at the bottom of the page.

 Step #2: Click on the section titled "What does the First Amendment say?.  Carefully read the actual text of the First Amendment as it appears in the Bill of Rights. You should read it over several times for greater understanding. Think about what the statement means. What freedoms do you think the founding fathers wished to protect within this amendment? To make it easier, break the statement down into smaller parts and write down any notes that you think are important. Answer the question dealing with the amendment on the electronic worksheet you downloaded.  When you think that you fully understand what the amendment means, go onto "Step #3 Pictures of the First Amendment in Action!".  

 Step #3: Click on the section titled "Pictures of the First Amendment in Action!"  Carefully examine the collage depicting the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights in action today!  You should look at each image several times to determine what is taking place in each picture.  Based on the pictures, what evidence of the First Amendment in action do you see taking place in the United States today?  To make it easier, look at each of the individual pictures and try to link similar images together.  Discuss what you see in the collage with a partner.  After you and your partner have discussed what you see in the collage, answer the question dealing with the pictures on the electronic worksheet you downloaded. When you think that you fully understand how the images depict the First Amendment in action in the nation today, go onto "Step #4 Completing the Essay Response."

 Step #4: Click on the section titled "Completing the Essay Response".  Now that you have a better understanding of how the First Amendment is evident in today’s modern society complete the prewriting outline on the electronic worksheet. You can use your answers and notes to help you. When you have completed the outline, use the outline to draft a well written five paragraph essay that explains “How you think the First Amendment helps shape modern life in the United States? What evidence of the First Amendment do we see in 21st century America?”  Be sure to save your answers and print out a hard copy.  Turn both copies into the teacher.