New Bill of Rights Distance Learning Programs

Bill of Rights day is this Thursday, December 15. To celebrate the 225th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, we’re offering brand new free distance learning programs for the K-12 classroom.

Eagle puppet with staff member, Cartoon of people exercising rights
(Cartoon “The Bill of Rights and Beyond,” National Archives Identifier 24520428)

A National Archives facilitator will connect with your class for a fun and interactive experience via traditional videoconferencing equipment or through a web-based platform.

Each program has been designed to enhance content knowledge of the Bill of Rights and strengthen critical thinking skills by analyzing primary sources from the holdings of the National Archives.

Programs are available Tuesday-Thursday and must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.

For more information or to schedule your free program please email us at distancelearning@nara.gov.

Our Classroom Bill of Rights! for Lower Elementary

  • For grades K-2
  • 30-45 minutes

Guiding Question: What are rights and why are they important?

Students will be introduced to the concept of rights, discuss why rights are important, and learn about the Bill of Rights with the help of Sammy the American Bald Eagle puppet. As a class, students will create their own classroom Bill of Rights.

Superhero Bill of Rights! for Upper Elementary

  • For grades 3-5
  • 45 minutes

Guiding Question: What are rights and what would the world look like without them? How is the Bill of Rights like a superhero?

Focusing on the five freedoms of the First Amendment, students will learn how the Bill of Rights is like a superhero. Students will analyze primary source documents and photographs and determine which freedom the primary source illustrates from the Bill of Rights. Like a superhero, the Bill of Rights saves the day by providing rights for citizens.

The Bill of Rights in Real Life for Middle School

  • For grades 6-8
  • 45-60 minutes

Guiding Question: Why should we care about the Bill of Rights?

Students will focus on the rights and limitations within the Bill of Rights. They will identify Bill of Rights issues using historical scenarios from the holdings of the National Archives and learn why it is important for citizens to know their rights.

Know Your Rights! for High School

  • Grades 9-12
  • 45-60 minutes

Guiding Question: How can understanding the Bill of Rights empower civic engagement?

Students will examine three historical case studies in preparation for a roundtable discussion with a facilitator from the National Archives. Each case study will serve as an example of how the government has made decisions that violated the Bill of Rights and how everyday citizens took action to hold the government accountable and retain their rights. During the roundtable discussion, students will use their case studies to answer questions such as “Is it ever okay for the government to overstep the Bill of Rights?” and “How can a piece of parchment safeguard individual rights?”


Email us at distancelearning@nara.gov or go to our distance learning page to learn more about these programs.

4 thoughts on “New Bill of Rights Distance Learning Programs

  1. “Like a superhero, the Bill of Rights saves the day by providing rights for citizens”,
    this statement is a misconception. The Bill of Rights does not give or provide rights, to or for anyone. The Bill of Rights is simply meant to try to protect our rights. Rights are inherent and can not be legislated nor given or taken away.

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