Bill of Rights
I'd like you to look at the Bill of Rights, choose 2 or 3 and explain what you think the original intent was for each amendment that you choose. Why was each considered so important to include in our Constitution? For fun and something different, try presenting your posting in the character of someone from the new United States (Federalist vs Anti-Federalist, for example).
Here are some web sites that you might find of interest and use as you consider your response.
The Bill of Rights at the Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/billofrights.html
“Madison’s Treasure.” An exhibit online at the Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/madison/
The Bill of Rights at the National Archives: http://archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights.html
Virginia Declaration of Rights: June 12, 1776
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/virginia.asp
Written by George Mason Used by Thomas Jefferson during his writing of the Declaration of Independence, a number of states when writing their provisos to the ratification of the Constitution, and by James Madison in compiling the proposed amendments to the new Constitution into the Bill of Rights.
"Objections to This Constitution of Government"
http://www.gunstonhall.org/library/archives/manuscripts/objections.html
A draft written by George Mason and circulated among delegates to the Constitutional Convention in mid-September 1787. It is the basis of his later published "Objections to the Constitution" (Virginia Journal. Alexandria, Virginia; November 22, 1787) during the ratification debates.
Index of documents on the Avalon Project for the 18th century.
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/18th.asp
You will find, under Ratification, links to each state's official ratification of the Constitution of 1787.
"Resolution of the First Congress Submitting Twelve Amendments to the Constitution; March 4, 1789"
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/resolu02.asp