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Curated OER

Rights and Responsibility

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars identify the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and explain how these shortcomings lead to the creation of the Constitution. They explain why the Bill of Rights was added to the constitution and identify six...
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Curated OER

Trial Simulation Project on First Amendment Cases

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners engage in research and role play to discover the history and importance of certain First Amendment court cases. They act out the cases in different roles in order to understand different perspectives from the prosecution to the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flag Wars

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider how zoning policy shapes the character of neigborhoods. They see how zoning and loan policies have been used historically in the U.S. to benefit some people and discriminate against others. They examine tensions between...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mayflower Compact-Freedom Contract

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the main goal of the Pilgrims and the first amendment of the Constitution. They read and discuss "The Mayflower Compact," role-play excerpts of the reading, and write a journal entry.
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Curated OER

Teaching about the First Amendment

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students defend the Constitution against a group of Senators who decide that all media must be approved by the government, all Americans must take a loyalty oath, join an official U.S. religion and subscribe to approved clubs.
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Curated OER

The Pledge of Allegiance

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study the history of the Pledge of Allegiance. They investigate the First Amendment concept of separation of Church and state using Internet resources.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitution

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders simulate a U.S. Supreme Court hearing concerning a First Amendment case about school prayer by participating in a hearing.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Law: Your Rights and Responsibilities

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore First Amendment rights and responsibilities.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Public Schools and Prayer - Do They Mix?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners discuss and research different Supreme Court cases and examine religious freedom and prayer in public schools.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States v. Thomas Cooper --

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars compare the Alien and Sedition Act to the First Amendment. They read and analyze a primary document and write a synopsis. They brainstorm challenges to the Government or President of the US.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Approach To Teaching Religious Tolerance

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners identify First Amendment rights of Freedom of Religion. They identify the colonies which were settled by people escaping religious persecution. They study the beliefs of the five major religions in the US.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

the Impact of the U.s. Supreme Court on High School Journalism.

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study of the First Amendment, Tinker, Hazelwood and the Colorado Student Free Expression Law. They discuss the ramifications on the student press and recite their memorized First Amendment rights. They discover what can...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

First Amendment or Treason?

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students investigate the meaning of the First Amendments right of freedom of speech. They examine the anti-war movement that occurred during the 1960's in response to the war in Vietnam. While studying primary sources, they determine how...
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Curated OER

Lesson 3: A Visitor From Outer Space

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students review provisions of Bill of Rights and First Amendment, choose five rights they would like to preserve, support their choices and ideas with reasoned arguments, and discuss consequences of keeping or losing particular rights.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The First Amendment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in a mock trial. Given the scenario, students prepare a cases concerning the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the right to assemble. In groups, students prepare an opening and closing statement, as well...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Law I

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students identify four basic values (economic, social, moral, and political) protected by law, examine different definitions of values, and correlate laws to values they aim to protect.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leaders in Journalism

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the changing leadership roles and qualities of writers, journalists and editors in public life. They view short video clips by prominent journalists and read about various journalists in history.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civics: The Rule of Law

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine key concepts pertaining to the rule of law. They explore how Civil Rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. used it to oppose discrimination practices. They examine Supreme Court decisions demonstrating the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Individual Rights and Liberties: Free Speech

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Young scholars review free speech laws and the First Amendment in the Constitution. They discuss a current event involving free speech. They present the information to the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Right to Privacy?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students listen to a teacher reading of the freedoms included in the First Amendment. They, in small groups, read two editorials about privacy, and compare and contrast the two.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freedom of Expression in Special Places

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars analyze the judicial decision making process, and identify three places presenting First Amendment problems. They analyze how the 1st Amendment applies to school newspapers, and argue for and against limiting 1st Amendment...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The People's Right to Know

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Young scholars review Supreme Court ruling on the right to know, prior restrain and access to government. They read The Progressive case and hold a moot court to argue the outcome.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is the (No) Establishment Clause?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and discuss the Establishment Clause.
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Curated OER

Teaching About Freedom of Speech on the Internet

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore the first amendment in relation to their own personal use of the internet and discuss the legal implications that occur when schools and libraries put filters on computers to restrict access to certain websites.