“Extraterrestrials” Lesson Plan & Resources
The “Extraterrestrials” lesson plan is a simulation that explores constitutional rights and the fundamental principles of individual and collective liberty. Set against a fictional scenario where extraterrestrials demand Americans surrender their legal protections, students must work in small groups and then as a whole class to practice consensus-building by narrowing down a list of 16 essential rights—including freedom of speech, the right to privacy, and due process—until only three remain. This interactive resource challenges students to compare and contrast rights, defend their reasoning for ranking certain protections over others, and ultimately apply the guiding principles found in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution to their decisions. Complete with a fake news story and instructional procedures for group debriefs, the curriculum is designed to help students interpret the text of the Constitution while developing critical communication and negotiation skills.
Extraterrestrial News Article Handout (SPANISH TRANSLATION)