This 5th grade social studies sheet covers all ten amendments in the Bill of Rights. Students write a letter from A to J beside each amendment, matching it to a plain-words summary such as "The right to keep and bear arms." Part 2 asks three short questions: two ask students to name an amendment, and one asks why the 9th Amendment might be important. Pages 3 and 4 give the ten letters and a sample answer for question 3.
“Describe in plain words what each of the first ten amendments protects.”
Part 1 matches each amendment to a summary, for example the 4th to protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.
“Explain why the 9th Amendment protects rights that are not written down.”
Question 3 asks why the 9th Amendment, which says people have other rights not listed, might be important.
A table of the ten amendments with a blank Match column. Students write the letter of one of ten plain summaries, printed in mixed order, beside each amendment.
Three questions next to a picture of the Bill of Rights scroll. Students name the amendment that protects freedom of the press and the one that protects people from cruel punishment, then write why the 9th Amendment might matter.
The matching letter for each of the ten amendments, the 1st and 8th Amendments for Part 2, and a sample answer about the 9th Amendment.
Before the amendments
Give it before you teach the amendments one by one. The letters students leave blank show which rights are new to the class.
Pair matching
Let pairs match the easy ones first, then cross out each letter they use. The 5th and 6th summaries both involve people accused of crimes, so expect a short debate there.
Exit ticket
Use Part 2 on its own at the end of a lesson. Question 3 shows quickly whether students see why a list of rights can never be complete.
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