1. Pledge to read the Bill of Rights – please join us and commit to reading through the first ten Amendments with your students, family, friends, and co-workers as a reminder of the rights we have as American citizens.
2. FREE game resources for your SMART Board in honor of Bill of Rights Day is called “Fight 4 UR Rights” and is available for FREE download here. Explore the history of the Bill of Rights and its protections including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and due process, with an interactive Flash game!
3. Watch a video on the Rule of Law – This video explores how citizens’ commitment to the rule of law is crucial for self-government. The process by which the Constitution was framed and ratified reflects the rule of law, and many of its protections ensure that the United States is, as John Adams explained, an empire of laws and not of men.
4. Test your knowledge of the Constitution and Bill of Rights – take our 15-question quiz covering the Constitution, landmark Supreme Court cases, people, and important primary source documents.
5. Rank your rights! Working through this handout helps you think about which rights you value most and which amendment protects that right.
6. Refresh your memory on the importance of our liberty – spend a few minutes exploring Life Without the Bill of Rights? an activity that asks you to consider how life would change without some of our most cherished freedoms including freedom of religion, speech, and press, freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, and the rights of private property.
7. Share the Bill of Rights with Friends – Print out a pdf of the Bill of Rights and give 10 co-workers or friends one amendment each. Gather together with some sparkling cider, read each amendment aloud, and then toast the Bill of Rights.

From the “Westbrook classroom,” a festive way to help students memorize the content and order of the Bill of Rights. Enjoy!

Bill of Rights Song (to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”)

The First Amendment guarantees religion, speech, and press
Petition and assembly, too.

The Second Amendment guarantees a right to bear arms,
Religion, speech, and press,
Petition and assembly, too.

The Third Amendment guarantees no quartering of troops,
A right to bear arms,
Religion, speech and press,
Petition and assembly, too.

The Fourth Amendment guarantees a warrant for a search,
No quartering troops,
A right to bear arms,
Religion, speech and press,
Petition and assembly, too.

The Fifth Amendment guarantees DUE PROCESS RIGHTS!
Warrant for a search,
No quartering troops,
A right to bear arms,
Religion, speech and press,
Petition and assembly, too.

The Sixth Amendment guarantees a fair and speedy trial.
DUE PROCESS RIGHTS!
Warrant for a search,
No quartering troops,
A right to bear arms,
Religion, speech and press,
Petition and assembly, too.

The Seventh Amendment guarantees a jury if you’re sued.
Fair and speedy trial,
DUE PROCESS RIGHTS!
Warrant for a search,
No quartering troops,
A right to bear arms,
Religion, speech and press,
Petition and assembly, too.

The Eighth Amendment guarantees no cruel punishment.
A jury if you’re sued,
Fair and speedy trial,
DUE PROCESS RIGHTS!
Warrant for a search,
No quartering troops,
A right to bear arms,
Religion, speech and press
Petition and assembly, too.

The Ninth Amendment guarantees our unlisted rights.
No cruel punishment,
A jury if you’re sued,
Fair and speedy trial,
DUE PROCESS RIGHTS!
Warrant for a search,
No quartering troops,
A right to bear arms,
Religion, speech and press
Petition and assembly, too.

(Slower on this final verse)
The Tenth Amendment guarantees power to the states.
Our unlisted rights,
No cruel punishment,
A jury if you’re sued,
Fair and speedy trial,
DUE PROCESS RIGHTS!
Warrant for a search,
No quartering troops,
A right to bear arms,
Religion, speech and press
Petition and assembly, too.