Activity Overview
Students create a spider map that represents the essential background information for the Bill of Rights. Students are required to create five questions surrounding the document using the “5 Ws: Who, What, When, Where, and Why”. This introductory activity will allow students to see the Bill of Rights from a holistic perspective before they study details of the rights guaranteed through each amendment.
Bill of Rights 5 Ws Example
WHO wrote the Bill of Rights?The proposed constitutional amendments that would become the Bill of Rights were written by James Madison. Madison became known as the "Father of the Constitution" well before he was elected as the fourth president of the United States. |
WHAT is the Bill of Rights?The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These ten amendments focus on the preservation of individual liberties by limiting the power of the federal government. |
WHERE was the Bill of Rights written?The document was created in Federal Hall, in New York City, where the Federal Government was located before it moved to Washington, D.C. |
WHEN was the Bill of Rights created?The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791. It was debated between the Federalists and Anti-Federalist but was eventually ratified and has remained ever since. |
WHY does the Bill of Rights exist?The Bill of Rights exists to explicitly define certain essential liberties and freedoms of American citizens. In order to achieve life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for each citizen, James Madison argued, our rights needed to be clearly defined and stated. |
Bill of Rights Projects
Extended Activity One
Students can create an alternative 5 Ws of another country that offers their citizens a Bill of Rights or something similar. Students can use the same questions from the previous activity or create original questions for this extended activity.
Extended Activity Two
After students have researched these two different Bill of Rights, they can create a T-Chart storyboard that compares and contrasts them. Students may look for similarities of individual liberties, or display how some of the protections or limitations of government vary from country to country.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard outlining the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, and why) for the Bill of Rights.
- Use the template provided by your teacher
- In the title of each cell, ask one of the 5 Ws
- In the description boxes, answer the question
- Create an illustration that demonstrates or explains each of the 5 Ws using appropriate scenes, characters, and items
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The student clearly, thoroughly, accurately chooses and answers the who, what, where, when, and why questions. | The student chooses and answers the who, what, where, when, and why questions. Some of the information is clear, thorough, and accurate. | The who, what, where, when, and why questions and answers are incomplete, confusing, or inaccurate. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the written information using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the written information, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the written information. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
Activity Overview
Students create a spider map that represents the essential background information for the Bill of Rights. Students are required to create five questions surrounding the document using the “5 Ws: Who, What, When, Where, and Why”. This introductory activity will allow students to see the Bill of Rights from a holistic perspective before they study details of the rights guaranteed through each amendment.
Bill of Rights 5 Ws Example
WHO wrote the Bill of Rights?The proposed constitutional amendments that would become the Bill of Rights were written by James Madison. Madison became known as the "Father of the Constitution" well before he was elected as the fourth president of the United States. |
WHAT is the Bill of Rights?The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These ten amendments focus on the preservation of individual liberties by limiting the power of the federal government. |
WHERE was the Bill of Rights written?The document was created in Federal Hall, in New York City, where the Federal Government was located before it moved to Washington, D.C. |
WHEN was the Bill of Rights created?The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791. It was debated between the Federalists and Anti-Federalist but was eventually ratified and has remained ever since. |
WHY does the Bill of Rights exist?The Bill of Rights exists to explicitly define certain essential liberties and freedoms of American citizens. In order to achieve life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for each citizen, James Madison argued, our rights needed to be clearly defined and stated. |
Bill of Rights Projects
Extended Activity One
Students can create an alternative 5 Ws of another country that offers their citizens a Bill of Rights or something similar. Students can use the same questions from the previous activity or create original questions for this extended activity.
Extended Activity Two
After students have researched these two different Bill of Rights, they can create a T-Chart storyboard that compares and contrasts them. Students may look for similarities of individual liberties, or display how some of the protections or limitations of government vary from country to country.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard outlining the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, and why) for the Bill of Rights.
- Use the template provided by your teacher
- In the title of each cell, ask one of the 5 Ws
- In the description boxes, answer the question
- Create an illustration that demonstrates or explains each of the 5 Ws using appropriate scenes, characters, and items
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The student clearly, thoroughly, accurately chooses and answers the who, what, where, when, and why questions. | The student chooses and answers the who, what, where, when, and why questions. Some of the information is clear, thorough, and accurate. | The who, what, where, when, and why questions and answers are incomplete, confusing, or inaccurate. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the written information using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the written information, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the written information. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How Tos about 5 Ws of the Bill of Rights
Organize a Bill of Rights classroom debate to deepen understanding
Facilitate a lively debate where students argue for or against specific amendments in the Bill of Rights. This engages critical thinking and helps students better grasp the real-world significance of these rights.
Divide students into small groups and assign each group an amendment
Assign each group one amendment from the Bill of Rights to research and prepare arguments for or against. This fosters collaboration and ensures students become experts on their assigned amendment.
Guide students to research real-life scenarios related to their amendment
Encourage groups to find historical or current events that illustrate how their assigned amendment impacts citizens. This makes learning relevant and helps students connect abstract rights to real issues.
Moderate a respectful debate and encourage evidence-based arguments
Have each group present their position and respond to counterarguments using facts and examples. This builds communication skills and teaches students to support their opinions with evidence.
Reflect as a class on how the Bill of Rights affects daily life
Lead a whole-class discussion to reflect on what was learned, encouraging students to share how these rights influence their own lives. This step helps solidify understanding and encourages personal connections to the material.
Frequently Asked Questions about 5 Ws of the Bill of Rights
What are the 5 Ws of the Bill of Rights activity for students?
The 5 Ws of the Bill of Rights activity asks students to explore the Bill of Rights by answering Who, What, When, Where, and Why questions about it. This strategy helps students gain a holistic understanding of the Bill of Rights before diving into the specific amendments.
How can I teach the Bill of Rights using a spider map?
To teach the Bill of Rights with a spider map, have students place the Bill of Rights at the center and branch out with answers to the 5 Ws: Who wrote it, What it is, When it was created, Where it was written, and Why it exists. This visual organizer helps students connect key facts and concepts.
What is an example of a 5 Ws question for the Bill of Rights?
An example is: "Who wrote the Bill of Rights?" The answer: James Madison wrote the proposed amendments that became the Bill of Rights. Each W (Who, What, When, Where, Why) can be a separate question about the document.
Why is it important for students to study the Bill of Rights using the 5 Ws?
Using the 5 Ws approach helps students understand not just the amendments, but the context and reasons behind the Bill of Rights. It encourages critical thinking and a deeper grasp of American freedoms and history.
How can I extend the 5 Ws Bill of Rights lesson for older students?
For older students, extend the lesson by having them research another country's Bill of Rights or similar document and compare it to the U.S. version. They can use a T-Chart storyboard to identify similarities and differences in individual liberties and government limitations.
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