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Arrest
High schoolers become active participants in the legal process as they take on the roles of witnesses, jurors, and defendants in a trial simulation. An understanding and appreciation of the legal system is fostered through the experience.
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Rights and Responsibilities, Is It Breaking the Law?
Young scholars investigate the life and trial of Rev. John Mahan who was involved with the illegal Underground Railroad. The issue of breaking the law to help slaves escape is examined in this lesson.
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Constitutional Change During the Progressive Era
Students analyze the passage of the 16th through 19th amendments during the Progressive Era around the turn of the century. Using research skills, they write papers and create portfolios supporting and opposing the adoption of each...
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Bill of Rights
For this Bill of Rights worksheet, students listen to a song titled "Bill of Rights," then match amendments to their descriptions. An answer key is included.
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Landmark Supreme Court Cases and the Constitution: National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie (1977)
High schoolers examine the impact of court decisions. In this Supreme Court lesson, students read the National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie (1977) case study regarding First Amendment Rights. High schoolers take notes...
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Freedom of Expression in Special Places
Students identify at least three places presenting First Amendment problems. They analyze how the First Amendment applies to school newspapers. Students argue for and against limiting First Amendment rights in school. They analyze th...
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The Constitution: The Country's Rules
Students become aware of the Constitution and why it is important. In this early government lesson, students compare the Constitution to the class rules. They are both set in place so that we all stay safe and have fun. Students draw...
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The Right to Vote
Students discover voting barriers. In this government lesson plan, students explore the history of voting. Students work in small groups to analyze and debate if certain groups of people should have the ability to vote or not.
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Foundations of American Government: Teacher’s Guide
Students explore the foundations of America. In this early American history lesson, students watch Discovery video segments regarding the Boston Massacre, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights....
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social Studies: First Amendment Role-Play
Students evaluate First Amendment case decisions by the Supreme Court. they divide into three groups - Supreme Court justices, prosecution attorneys, and defense lawyers. Both sides present their arguments and the justices deliver...
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We the People Lesson 2
Students compare the Federalists and Anti-Federalists visions for the U.S. government. In this government lesson, students conduct research on Federalists and Anti-Federalists figures. Students use their findings to help them write...
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Whose Business Is It Anyway? McCarthyism and Its Effect on Individual Rights
Students explore the concept of individual rights. In this McCarthyism lesson, students determine how government may affect the rights of individuals as they examine the Constitution, participate in class discussions, and research the...
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The Alien and Sedition Acts: Defining American Freedom
Students analyze the Alien and Sedition Acts. In this Bill of Rights activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the Alien Act and the Sedition Acts. Students examine Supreme Court...
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The American People, “Creating a Nation”
In this early American history worksheet, students read noted pages in their textbooks and then respond to 7 short answer questions regarding the U.S. Constitution and its formation.
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Reorganizing the Bill of Rights
Eighth graders look critically at the 26 amendments to the United States Constitution.
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What Is the Bill of Rights?
Young scholars discuss the purpose of the Bill of Rights and the United States Constitution. In groups, they write about the ten amendments and their purpose. They re-word the Amendments in their own way and answer discussion questions...
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Divided We Fall
Students investigate the consequences of eliminating one or more of the amendments to the Bill of Rights.
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Ranking The Bill of Rights
Young scholars examine the Bill of Rights and determine if the document is outdated. After a discussion of the amendments, students rank the amendments in the Bill of Rights and explain their order of importance. Young scholars...
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Individual Rights and Liberties: Free Speech
Pupils 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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Voting and the U.S. Constitution (Past, Present, and Future)
High schoolers discuss the 26th Amendment, then write letters to a future guest speaker. Students listen to the guest speaker and ask them questions about voting and voter turnout. High schoolers then create handbills urging citizens to...
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Right to Privacy?
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.
National First Ladies' Library
Presidential Illness: Constitutional Crisis?
Pupils use the internet and other sources to explore incidents where the President of the United States has become incapacitated. They research the reasons for the 25th Amendment, and solutions set in place to solve the problem of...
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Freedom of Expression in Special Places
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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Lawyers, Guns and Meaning
Young scholars examine why they either do or do not have guns in their own household and how guns affect their sense of safety. They explore the controversy surrounding how best to interpret the Second Amendment by reading and...