The United States Constitution begins with the infamous words: We the People.

The constitution is the supreme law of the United States. It organizes our democratic government and states the rights of all Americans. After making the constitution, the founders of the United States of America added a document called the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments or additions to the Constitution. The first amendment is called Freedom of Speech. It states:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

learn more about the Freedom of Speech and how people have exercised this right to make a changes in the United States throughout history. As you explore, you might want to ask yourself: What issues have people used their Freedom of Speech to advocate for? What was happening in the country, or world, that made people feel they needed to use their right of free speech? What are some different ways to be heard with non-violence? What makes these ways to be heard so effective? What would you advocate for? How would you use your right to free speech?

Slogans
Based on what you've learned and the pictures you have seen, think about creating a slogan for a protest. What would you protest for? How would you use your slogan?

Superheroes!
Superheroes stand up for justice, just like activists do. Think about creating a Superhero yourself. What does your superhero fight for?

Making Connections
You've learned a lot about the different reasons people take social action. Did you make a connection with any of their protests? Think about creating an artifact to represent that connection.

What Can You Do?

Based on what you have learned, how might you stand up for your beliefs? Create an artifact that might help you get your family, school or community involved.

Suggestions for your Artifact

Poetry Write a Song Write a Short Story Create a Poster Dance Do a Skit Puppets Make a Costume Draw a Picture Make a T-Shirt Make a Picket Sign Organize a Protest

Democracy References

Bustard, B.I. (1999). Picturing the Century: One Hundred Years of Photography from the National Archives . Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration. Grodin, E. (2006). Everyone Counts: A Citizen's Number Book. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press. Robinson, M. (2008). Every Human Has Rights: A Photographic Declaration for Kids . Washington, DC: National Geographic.

Activism References

Drake, A. and Love, A. (2010). Yes You Can!: Your Guide to Becoming an Activist. Toronto, Ontario: Tundra Books. Kudlinski, K. (2006). Gandhi: Young Nation Builder. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks. Lublin, N., Martir, V. and Steers, J. (2010). Do Something: A Handbook for Young Activists. New York, NY: Workman Publishing. Schwartz, H.E. (2009). Political Activism: How You Can Make a Difference. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

Civil Rights Movement References

Bausum, A. (2012). Marching to the Mountaintop: How Poverty, Labor Fights and Civil Rights Set the Stage for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Final Hours. Washington, DC: National Geographic. Boston-Weatherford, C. (2005). Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-ins. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers. Farris-King, C. (2008). March On!: The Day My Brother Martin Changed The World. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. Mayer, R.H. (2008). When The Children Marched: The Birmingham Civil Rights Movement. Berkely Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers, Inc. Ringgold, F. (1999). If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books.

Women's Suffrage References

Guernsey, J.B. (1996). Voices of Feminism: Past, Present, and Future. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications Company Harvey, M. (1996). Cornerstones of Freedom: Women's Voting Rights. New York, NY: Children's Press. Laks-Gorman, J. (2011). A Cultural History of Women in America: The Modern Feminist Movement: Sisters Under the Skin 1961-1979. New York, NY: Chelsea House. Landau, E. (2005). Cornerstones of Freedom: Women's Right to Vote. New York, NY: Children's Press. Schwabach, K. (2008). The Hope Chest. New York, NY: Random House. Van Rynback, I., and Dietz-Shea, P. (2010). The Taxing Case of the Cows: A True Story About Suffrage. Boston, MA and New York, NY: Clarion Books.

Global Occupy Movement Electronic References

Wall Street Journal (2011, October 17) What's Occupying Wall Street? The protestors have a point, if not the right target. retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203499704576625302455112990.html Beckett, L. (2011, October 25) Globalizing occupy Wall Street: From Chile to Israel, Protests Erupt. ProPublica. retrieved from http://www.propublica.org/article/putting-the-global-occupymovement-in-context.

Artwork References

Mallory, J. (2011). Occupy Wall Street [poster/ print]. New York, NY. Retrieved from http://johnmalloy.com/ Davidson, B. (2002). Time of Change: Civil Rights Photographs 1961-1965. New York, NY: St. Anne's Press.

Art Supplies: pencils, pens, markers, crayons, colored pencils, glue, glue stick, Paper: notebook paper, white paper, colored paper, construction paper Fabric: 2-3 yards of white cotton fabric, 2-3 plain white T-Shirts, iron, iron-on letters Musical Instruments: Shakers, rain stick, shoe box guitar, keyboard Display Items: Cork board, push pins, clear plastic picture frame Miscellaneous: feedback box (tissue box), post-its, paint stir-sticks