Students in grades seven and up will learn more about the meaning and application of the first eight amendments to the Constitution through these interactive activities. The reproducible student book includes readings for background understanding on the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and court decisions. There are brief comprehension questions and vocabulary exercises. Each lesson includes a number of activities—discussion topics and debate topics are often specified, but many questions might also be used for written assignments.
This study works best with a group of students; obviously a debate with one student is not feasible. The teacher's manual is essential; it explains how to use the activities and offers suggested answers to questions. The authors take a fairly even-handed approach by advancing arguments for more than one interpretation or position, but there are so many controversies surrounding the Bill of Rights, that you might easily find still more arguments to consider in other sources. This is not as challenging or comprehensive in its presentation of court decisions as Michael Farris' Constitutional Law for Christian Students, but it is easier to teach and understand.
