Social Studies – Lesson Activity Planner: Austin Past and Present
Austin Independent School District
Grade: 8
Lesson Length (Number of class periods): 3
Course: U.S. History
Topic: Government / Citizenship
Required Technology: Austin Past/Present DVD, DVD Player or DVD compatible computer(s), Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher
Concept: Rights/ Laws and Rules
Overarching question: How are our daily lives impacted by the
Constitution?
Lesson Understandings:
Lesson Questions(s):
How does the Constitution (and Bill of Rights) protect us?
What might happen without the protections of the Constitution?
We all live with laws and rules on a daily basis. We have to be to class on
time and abide by the dress code. Laws and rules may seem like a pain, but
they are necessary to protect us. Sometimes, we even may need to be
protected by the government. It seems funny to think that the government
could hurt us, but our founding fathers had experience with this (think
George III). When they wrote our constitution, they made sure that there
were plenty of laws and rules in place to make sure that everyday citizens
can’t be hurt by their government.
TEKS/TAKS:
(16)(D) analyze how the U.S. Constitution reflects the principles of limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, popular
sovereignty, and individual rights.
(20)(C) define and give examples of unalienable rights
(20)(B) summarize rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights
(22)(B) describe the importance of free speech and press in a democratic society
(23)(B) describe the contributions of significant political, social and military leaders of the United States
Austin Independent School District
Social Studies Curriculum Department
June, 2006
Social Studies – Lesson Activity Planner: Austin Past and Present
Austin Independent School District
Materials:
Austin Past/Present DVD, DVD Player or DVD compatible computer(s), Internet Explorer
Biographies of William Thornberry, Volma Overton and John Henry Faulk (located in the Town in Transition section)
Copy of US Constitution (Creating America Textbook)
Thank You Constitution Handout (attached)
Preview:
Have the students journal about the purpose of rules and laws. Most students will probably complain about what rules and laws keep them from doing. Discuss these ideas
with the class and then ask students how laws are good things. How do laws protect us? Ask students if we need to be protected from the government. Have them give
examples. Explain that we’re going to study three famous Austinites and see how the Constitution protected them.
Student activities that support the TEKS/TAKS :
This activity can either be done individually or in groups. You can have each student look at all 3 examples or divide them up and have groups share with the rest of the
class.
1. Have students read the biographies of Volma Overton, William Thornberry and John Henry Faulk. If there is time, students may want to browse the biographies to see if
there are additional individuals who could be included.
2. Have students complete the Thank You Constitution Handout. This handout has students collect information about the individuals and search the Constitution and Bill of
Rights and Amendments for the provisions that protected them.
3. Students will then create a Thank You Constitution card from one of the three individuals. Directions for making these cards are on the handout.
4. Students should then create a Thank You Constitution card from themselves addressing the provisions they are thankful for.
Austin Independent School District
Social Studies Curriculum Department
June, 2006
Social Studies – Lesson Activity Planner: Austin Past and Present
Austin Independent School District
Assessment(s):
Completed Chart
Card from Historical Figure
Card from Student
Austin Independent School District
Social Studies Curriculum Department
June, 2006