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Texas v. Johnson
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.
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Respecting Freedom of Speech
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...
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Do You Have a Prayer?
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...
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Just Say It
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.
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Memorandum of a Conference with President Eisenhower after Sputnik
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.
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Rainforests: What Are They?
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...
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The Pledge of Allegiance
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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Exploring the First Amendment as it has been applied to Teen Journalists
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...
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Everyday Heroes
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.
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The Judiciary in American History
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...
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Breaking Down Prejudice
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,...
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Breaking News English: Ariel Sharon in Critical Condition
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.
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The Role of the United Nations in Postwar Iraq
Students study the history of the United Nations and answer study questions regarding the role of the UN in present day post-war Iraq.
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The First Amendment
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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Declaration of Independence
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.
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the Impact of the U.s. Supreme Court on High School Journalism.
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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First Amendment or Treason?
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...
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Ben Franklin
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...
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Number the Stars
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.
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Federalist and Antifederalist Papers
Students debate the Federalist and Anti-federal Papers after using the Internet as a research tool.
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This Land is Ours
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...
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The Declaration of Independence
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...
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Producing a Strain of E. coli that Glows in the Dark
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...
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What Makes a Good Law?
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...