3rd Grade S.S. Claim/Evidence Life, Liberty, Happiness

Which statement is a claim about how the Declaration of Independence protects people’s rights?

• The Declaration was written during the year 1776.
• The document lists several complaints about the king.
• The Declaration explains that people have basic rights.
• The colonies were located along the eastern coast.

Which evidence best supports the claim that the Constitution protects individual rights?

• The Constitution created three branches of government.
• The Constitution explains how leaders are chosen.
• The Bill of Rights lists freedoms people are guaranteed.
• The Constitution was written at a meeting in Philadelphia.

Two students explain how founding documents protect rights.

• Student A: The Bill of Rights protects freedoms like speech and religion.

• Student B: The Constitution protects rights by limiting government power.

• How do these viewpoints differ?

• They describe the same idea using similar words.
• They explain different ways that rights are protected.
• Only one student provides facts to support the idea.
• They disagree about whether rights are important.

How are the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights similar?

• Both documents created a new system of government.
• Both documents explain the rights people should have.
• Both documents were written during the same year.
• Both documents describe how leaders are selected.

What is one right protected by the Bill of Rights?

• The right to vote in national elections.
• The right to speak and practice religion freely.
• The right to own land in all places.
• The right to travel to different countries.

What was one purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

• To describe how courts should make fair decisions.
• To explain why the colonies wanted independence.
• To list the branches of the national government.
• To organize how elections should be conducted.

A student claims that the Constitution only gives power to the government. Which statement is a counterclaim?

• The Constitution explains how the government works.
• The Constitution limits power to protect citizens’ rights.
• The Constitution was written after the war ended.
• The Constitution created laws for the new nation.

Which sentence best shows clear reasoning?

• The Constitution was written many years ago.
• The Bill of Rights lists important freedoms.
• The Constitution protects rights by limiting government power.
• The government has leaders in different branches.

Which piece of evidence best supports the claim that people have the right to express ideas?

• The Constitution created three branches of government.
• Freedom of speech allows people to share ideas freely.
• The Declaration lists complaints about unfair treatment.
• The government collects taxes from citizens each year.

A citizen believes founding documents protect freedom.

Another citizen believes government rules limit freedom.

What do these viewpoints show?

• Both people agree on how rights should be used.
• Different people can have different views about rights.
• Only one person understands how laws are written.
• Rights are not important in a democratic government.