PHYSICAL REPRESENTATIONS—10 AMENDMENTS
These hand getures may help many students in their efforts to remember the aspects of the First Amendment. Each hand
gesture flows easily into the next. These physical representations are based on an idea gathered from Shelly Tindle of
Twin Creeks Middle School in Spring, Texas.
Hands held in a traditional gesture of praying symbolizes
RELIGION...
...Notice how the hands look similar to how
a reporter might be jotting down notes with
a pen and paper while interviewing someone.
This symbolizes freedom of the PRESS....
...In this case, the flat hands symbolize protest signs that
people may use when expressing their freedom of SPEECH.
The hands should be raised up and down and around as if
moving protest signs.
...Each finger pointing up symbolizes a
person. The student keeps his hands still
and moves the fingers around to show the
physical representation of the freedom of
ASSEMBLY...
...The three fingers on one hand represent
the three branches of government. The
other hand forms the shape of a mouth
and the student moves his fingers and
thumb open and closed to show the mouth
talking. This symbolizes the people talking
to the government about their grievances.
(PETITION)
Keep the students safe during Physical Representations. Not all students
feel comfortable acting things out. Forcing students into something like this
could do irrevocable harm to the student/teacher relationship.
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Teaching for Excellence: Social Studies
PHYSICAL REPRESENTATIONS—10 AMENDMENTS CONTINUED
2nd Amendment
2
“ e Right to Bear Arms” - The student uses fingers to show a gun.
“Th
Teachers need to be careful with this physical representation. Nicole
T
ddoes not allow any variation in this movement in order to avoid students
ttaking it too far.
3rd Amendment
3
“ Quartering of Soldiers” “No
Notice one hand is showing the
N
nnumber three and the other hand
hhas keys in it, as if unlocking the
hhouse.
4th Amendment
5th Amendment
“No Unreasonable Search
and Rescue” - This student is
pantomiming knocking on a door.
“Accused Does Not Have to
Testify Against Himself ” - This
student is covering his mouth as
if
i keeping himself from speaking.
6th Amendment
“Fair and Speedy Trial” - It’s like
getting your thumbprint taken
for fair and speedy trial. The
students start with 5 fingers and
a thumbs up (for 6), then turn
the thumb over like they are
getting thumbprinted.
7th Amendment
Nicole Lipp
Independence High School
Charlotte, NC
“Civil Law” - The thumb and index finger
form a “V” like the v in civil.
Chapter 11 - From Interaction to Engagement
191
PHYSICAL REPRESENTATIONS—10 AMENDMENTS CONTINUED
8th Amendment
“No Cruel and Unusual Punishment”
- Crazy 8’s for crazy punishment. The
students show four fingers on each
hand.
9th Amendment
“Rights of the People” - The students
thump their chests and then throw
their fists in the air for powers to the
people.
10th Amendment
“Powers Not Delegated to the Federal
Government are Reserved for the
States” - The students are pushing
their palms outward as if saying “It
goes to them, not us.”
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Teaching for Excellence: Social Studies