Unveiling the USA PATRIOT Act: Security vs. Freedom

Engage your students in a critical analysis of the USA PATRIOT Act with this comprehensive reading comprehension resource. This worksheet delves into the Act's provisions, the ongoing debate surrounding its impact on civil liberties, and its role in domestic security.

Here's what you'll get:

• A captivating reading passage: Explores the historical context of 9/11, details the key provisions of the PATRIOT Act, and examines the ongoing debate about its effectiveness.
• Primary Source Excerpts: Students analyze authentic quotes from a Congressional Hearing and an ACLU press release to gain deeper understanding of opposing viewpoints.
• Assessment Questions: Multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions test students' comprehension and encourage critical thinking. Answer key included!
• Teacher-Friendly Format: Clear layout and engaging text make this resource easy to use and adaptable for various learning styles.

Learning Objectives:

• Students will be able to explain the historical context surrounding the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act.
• Students will be able to identify the key provisions of the PATRIOT Act and their impact on government surveillance powers, information sharing, and immigration procedures.
• Students will be able to analyze the ongoing debate surrounding the PATRIOT Act, considering arguments for and against its effectiveness in balancing security and freedom.
• Students will be able to develop and support a well-reasoned opinion on the impact of the PATRIOT Act.

Common Core Standards Alignment:

• RI.9-10.1: Cite strong and relevant evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
• RI.9-10.2: Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, providing an objective summary of the text.
• RI.9-10.6: Analyze the author's purpose in writing, especially those writing about current events, and how the purpose and audience shape the content of the passage.
• RI.9-10.8: Delineate and evaluate the reasoning used in arguments, political cartoons, or editorials.

Why Buy This Resource?

• Ready-to-Use: Download and print this worksheet for immediate implementation in your classroom.
• Standards-Aligned: Addresses key reading comprehension and critical thinking skills outlined in Common Core Standards.
• Promotes Critical Thinking: Encourages students to analyze primary sources, consider multiple perspectives, and form their own informed opinions.
• Engaging and Informative: Combines historical context, legal details, and thought-provoking questions to spark meaningful discussions.

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