Name__________________________________________________________ Date_____________ Period ______

The Bill of Rights in My Life

You have the right to listen to your favorite music. But do you have the right to listen to it on a bus or train where other
people may be enjoying peace and quiet? Sometimes, it can be confusing to know where your rights end and someone
else’s begin. When the Constitution was created over 200 years ago, many people (especially anti-federalists) did not
think that it said enough about protecting our basic rights. The anti-federalists agreed to support the Constitution only
if basic rights were added. In 1791, the Constitution was amended to include the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is
the first 10 amendments to the Constitution and it lists the many rights and freedoms that citizens of the United States of
America can enjoy. It also says that just because a certain right is not listed, it doesn’t mean that it is denied. The chart
below shows the first ten amendments to the Constitution (the Bill of Rights). The actual language of the amendment is
written in the left hand column. In the middle column is the amendment written in simple language. Working with a
partner, you will complete the right-hand column “What does this mean?”

Actual Language Simple Language What does this mean?

(write/draw an example)
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law Freedom of religion
respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the Freedom of speech
freedom of speech, or of the
press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to Freedom of press
petition the Government for a
redress of grievances.
Right to assemble

Right to petition (ask) the government

Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being Right to form a militia
necessary to the security of a free Right to own arms (gun)
State, the right of the people to
keep and bear Arms, shall not be
infringed.

Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace Right not to have soldiers in one’s homes
be quartered in any house,
without the consent of the
Owner, nor in time of war, but in
a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be Protection against unreasonable searches
secure in their persons, houses, and seizures (taking things away from
papers, and effects, against
unreasonable searches and you)
seizures, shall not be violated,
and no Warrants but upon
probable cause.
 Simple Language What does this mean?
Actual Language (write/draw an example)
No one can be tried for a serious crime unless
AMENDMENT V
No person shall be held to answer accused by a grand jury.
for a capital, or otherwise
infamous crime, unless on a
presentment or indictment of a No one can be forced to testify against him or
Grand Jury, except in cases
arising in the land or naval herself.
forces, or in the Militia, when in
actual service in time of War or
public danger; nor shall any No one can be tried twice for the same crime.
person be subject for the same
offence to be twice put in
jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall No one can be punished without due process of
be compelled in any criminal
law.
case to be a witness against
himself, nor be deprived of life,
liberty, or property, without due
People must be paid for property taken for public
process of law; nor shall private
property be taken for public use, use.
without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the People have the right to a speedy trial,
accused shall enjoy the right to a
speedy and public trial, by an
impartial jury of the State and Right to legal counsel (lawyer)
district wherein the crime shall
have been committed, and to be
informed of the nature and cause People have the right to confront their
of the accusation; to be accusers.
confronted with the witnesses
against him; to have the
Assistance of Counsel for his
defense.

Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where People have the right to a jury trial in most
the value in controversy shall civil suits.
exceed twenty dollars, the right
of trial by jury shall be
preserved…
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail (money to release a person
Excessive bail shall not be from jail), excessive fines and cruel and
required, nor excessive fines
imposed, nor cruel and unusual unusual punishment are forbidden.
punishments inflicted.
Just because a certain right was not thought of
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the here or mentioned in the first 10 amendments
Constitution, of certain rights, does not mean that people do not have them
shall not be construed to deny
or disparage others retained
by the people
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the If the Constitution does not specifically
United States by the Constitution, say that the government of our country
nor prohibited by it to the states,
are reserved to the states has the power to do something, then that
respectively, or to the people.
power is given to the people or the state
they live in.