Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Texas v. Johnson

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the freedom of speech. In this Supreme Court lesson plan, students analyze primary documents from Texas v. Johnson and discuss the implications of the decision regarding flag burning.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Respecting Freedom of Speech

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze the First Amendment. In this Bill of Rights activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the facets of the First Amendment. Students examine cases which pertain to the freedoms that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do You Have a Prayer?

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students review the 1st Amendment and the clauses which deal with prayer/religion in schools. They discuss, in groups, the Equal Access Act, which gives students the right to practice/express their religion at school and take a quiz on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Just Say It

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore the initial Supreme Court decision to regulate commercial speech, and then analyze the legal precedents and principles underlying a recent case contesting this regulation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Memorandum of a Conference with President Eisenhower after Sputnik

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students document and list excerpts from a document that shows how calmly officials reacted to the launching of Sputnik. They research contemporary magazines and newspaper articles of the day as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rainforests: What Are They?

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders investigate rain forests by reading a habitat checklist.  In this environment lesson, 2nd graders read the book The Great Kapok Tree, and discuss what characteristics make up a rain forest.  Students explore a...
Lesson Plan
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the First Amendment as it has been applied to Teen Journalists

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students explore the First Amendment as it has been applied to teens and teen journalists. For this First Amendment lesson, students memorize the First Amendment, complete online research of the topic, and quiz. Students read about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Everyday Heroes

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research heroes and create their own criteria of what constitutes a hero. They choose a personal hero and create a web page that portrays the individual and their accomplishments. Students create a presentation for the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Judiciary in American History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the influence of political and societal forces on judicial decisions. Among the topics they examine are the selection of judges and the cause and effect relationship between politics, society, and the law. to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Breaking Down Prejudice

For Teachers Higher Ed
Pupils examine the clauses in the South African constitution. Using the internet, they identify the roles of the government, citizens and identifying discrimination that still exists in the country. To end the instructional activity,...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Breaking News English: Ariel Sharon in Critical Condition

For Students 6th - 8th
In this ESL reading comprehension worksheet, students read or listen to a journalistic passage, complete warm-up activities and a wide variety of before, during, after, homework and discussion activities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of the United Nations in Postwar Iraq

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the history of the United Nations and answer study questions regarding the role of the UN in present day post-war Iraq.
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders summarize sections of the Declaration of Independence and share their interpretations with classmates. They write essays on the Declaration or an essay tracing the rights of minorities from the Revolution to the present.
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

First Amendment or Treason?

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Young scholars 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ben Franklin

For Teachers K - 8th
Young scholars meet Ben Franklin and research his life accomplishments. In this instructional activity about the history of Benjamin Franklin, students will visit several websites in order to learn about this Founding Father. Young...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Number the Stars

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine threat to all people (particularly the Jews) resulting from the imposition of Nazi authority, and appreciate the courage exhibited by ordinary people acting out of conscience.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Federalist and Antifederalist Papers

For Teachers 8th - Higher Ed
Students debate the Federalist and Anti-federal Papers after using the Internet as a research tool.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This Land is Ours

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students research and present their findings of the Native American's forced removal in the 19th century. For this Native American lesson plan, students read passages, write and reflect, and look on the internet for evidence of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students examine the Declaration of Independence. In this colonial America lesson, students read literature regarding the document as well as excerpts of the document itself. Students also perform a Reader's Theatre script based on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Producing a Strain of E. coli that Glows in the Dark

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students observe the experimental process called bacterial transformation and demonstrate phenotype changes in bacteria that have been transformed with an antibiotic-resistance gene and a metabolic marker. They create a luminescent...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes a Good Law?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Why were laws created? Spark a group discussion on why we need laws to co-exist. Should the sale of some things be outlawed on Sundays? Read a case summary between Target and the state of Minnesota that debated this issue. Ask your...