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For The Sake Of Security: U.S.A. Patriot Act & Bill of Rights
A substantive New York Times article about the U.S.A. Patriot Act, military tribunals, racial profiling, and the Bill of Rights forms the basis for a discussion of the complex interplay of fundamental American rights and the aftermath of...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Liberty vs. Security
In this current events activity, students analyze a political cartoon about civil liberties and respond to 3 talking point questions.
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With Liberty and Justice for All
Students examine the role of Supreme Court justices. In this judicial branch lesson, students consider the civil rights and civil liberties as they investigate Minersville School District v. Gobitis (1940) and West Virginia State Board...
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Letters from the Japanese American Internment
Students explore the concept of Japanese internment. In this Japanese internment instructional activity, students examine primary sources that enable them to discover what internment camp life was like and its implications, Students...
National First Ladies' Library
Safety or Civil Liberty? The Trial of Sacco and Vanzet
High schoolers investigate the Sacco-Vanzetti trial and develop a basic understanding of the issues involved. Then they write an essay taking a stance on the Sacco-Vanzetti trial: was the trial fair? were the two men falsely accused?...
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Your Safety and Security or Your Civil Liberties - Which is More Important?
Students examine provisions of USA PATRIOT Act and controversies that led the ACLU to take legal action against the legislation. They create, conduct, and document results of a survey related to the PATRIOT Act and controversies...
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Foreign War and Domestic Freedom: A Delicate Balancing Act
Learners investigate civil liberties in the U.S. They watch and discuss a PowerPoint presentation, conduct research on an event from a timeline, complete a worksheet, take an ideology quiz, and conduct a debate.
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Why Can't I Vote?
Fourth graders take an unannounced test (failure is expected) and the top scores are rewarded with candy bars. They compare this test to the literacy tests given before 1960 and votes to candybars. They journal their responses.
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Civil Liberties And National Security
Young scholars experience profiling first-hand through creation of a Class ID, and daily persecution of a selected group of students. They examine the tension between the concern for national security and for the preservation of civil...
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Keeping A Watchful Eye
Learners explore the use of satellite surveillance systems to track criminals. They consider how the use of this technology in law enforcement might affect them and write opinions on whether or not such a system should be adopted by...
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Valuable Lessons
Students explore how immigration, citizenship, due process of law, and the freedoms of speech and assembly have shaped American values throughout American history
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Civil Rights: An Investigation
Students take a closer look at the political side of the American Civil Rights Movement. In this 20th century American history lesson, students research the contributions of President Johnson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and J. Edgar...
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The Constitution Lives! How it Protects Your Rights Today
Students brainstorm their rights as Americans. In this The Constitution Lives! lesson, students discern the difference between rights and rules by completing a worksheet. Students consider the differences between types of constitutional...
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Genetic Research and Liberties
Students examine civil liberties issues in relation to genetic research, and discuss how genetic medical information may be used. They present personal viewpoints about genetic research as it relates to civil liberties
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Civil Liberties and National Security
Students identify the civil liberties outlined in the U.S. Bill of Rights and discuss the importance of these liberties in today's society. They research examples of when Congress has taken legislative action to protect national security.
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Getting to the Bottom of Gitmo
Young scholars explore, examine and study about the first military tribunal of a Guantanamo Bay camp detainee. They then participate in a collaborative writing assignment in which they have a "conversation on paper" with each other about...
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Civil Liberties
Young scholars explore civil liberties. They identify the major provisions of the Canadian Constitution. Students describe fundamental principals of federal and provincial legal systems. They distinguish between individual and group...
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Fox hunting debate
Students read the internet article "Hundreds of Hunts Out Despite Ban". The teacher then holds a class discussion about it. Students then hold a formal debate representing all points of view on the issues. Students then write a...
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Civil liberties: Other freedoms
Students expore civil liberties. They identify and define legal rights. Students consider the impact of applying rights in criminal matters. They identify Canadians' political rights and suggest why they are essential to a democracy....
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US Patriot Act: Security vs. Privacy
Students use readings, worksheets and discussion to explore the ramifications of the US Patriot Act which was passed by Congress shortly after September 11th. They review Constitutional Amendments and consider how they relate to the...
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Lambdin Milligan and the Writ of Habeas Corpus
Students research the case of Lambdin Milligan, a confederate supporter who was sentenced to death in Indiana during the time of the Civil War. They investigate the need to suspend civil liberties during the time of war.
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Imagination and the Second Great Migration
Students examine the struggle for racial and gender equality and for the extension of civil liberties. They access websites imbedded in this plan to research, then write about past struggles for gender and racial fairness.
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Building Awareness of the Japanese American Wartime Experience
Students research the Japanese American World War II Camp Experience. They discuss the experience in the context of civil rights and the Bill of Rights.
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Which Freedom?
Fourth graders choose on the freedoms in the Bill of Rights and research it on the internet. They answer specific questions using their research and produce a written document using a computer.