Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Religion and the Founding of American Rep.: Religion and the Federal Gov

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Library of Congress presents selections of articles, writings, and pictures that summarize the beliefs of the early American politicians that morality and personal independence were essential for the country. Links to...
Website
Stanford University

Political Communication Lab

For Students 9th - 10th
An interactive website that is dedicated to gathering and disseminating public opinion on a variety of issues that shape U.S. politics.
Lesson Plan
Penguin Publishing

Penguin Random House: "Censorship: An Educator's Guide"

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Activities, writing prompts, points of discussion and some additional resources are offered here to help with teaching about free speech and censorship.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Schenck v. United States

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia entry summarizes the landmark Supreme Court case of Schenck v. United States, which pitted the right of free speech against the 1917 Espionage Act.
Article
CNN

Cnn: 10 Commandments Judge Removed From Office

For Students 9th - 10th
An important situation in regard to the subject of the separation of church and state. At this CNN site, read about Judge Roy Moore and his stand on the Ten Commandments.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Freedom to Worship (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson plan designed to investigate the conditions and difficulties facing immigrants who have sought religious freedom in the United States throughout history. Requires viewing of select segments from "Destination America," the...
Activity
Other

Streetlaw: Rights in the Community

For Students 9th - 10th
This website provides several links and introductory information on the Constitution, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, expression in special places, freedom of religion, due process, the right to privacy, discrimination, and...
Lesson Plan
ReadWriteThink

Read Write Think: Censorship in the Classroom

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Online instructional activity that challenges learners to examine the past and present practice of censorship in the classroom, in particular the "Banned books," from high school curriculums. Students research reasons for censorship and...
Activity
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez Project: Agostini v. Felton

For Students 9th - 10th
The U.S. Supreme Court case that dealt with violations in the Establishment Clause in public and parochial schools is detailed with an abstract providing a concise summary and a record of the justices that sat on the court at that time....
Activity
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez: Aguilar v. Felton

For Students 9th - 10th
Concise overview of the Aguilar v. Felton Supreme Court case. Included are facts of the case, subjects, question presented, and the conclusion.
Activity
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez Project: New York Times v. United States (1971)

For Students 9th - 10th
This U.S. Supreme Court case allowed the publication of the "Pentagon Papers." The OYEZ resource provides an abstract containing a concise summary, an audio file, a link to the full text of the decision and a record of how the justices...
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Equal Status of Jewish Americans

For Students 3rd - 8th
This 3-page article provides a general overview of George Washington recognizing the equal status of Jewish Americans in 1790.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Battle Over the Pledge

For Teachers 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether or not the Pledge of Allegiance should be said in schools. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Civil Liberties Recap: You Be the Judge

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
How well can you decide the balance of civil liberties? Review three case summaries as well as the laws and facts about each case and arguments, and then make a ruling.
Primary
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Schenck v. u.s. (1919)

For Students 9th - 10th
Provided is a summary of the Supreme Court case of Schenck v. U.S. involving espionage, free speech, and anti-war propaganda.
Website
Other

Bitlaw: Fair Use in Copyright

For Students 9th - 10th
An article that explains the "fair Use" issues in the copyright law.
Website
Other

The National Law Journal: Home Page

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Law Journal provides the latest news, legal information and e-law services for the legal professions and law students.
Activity
Other

Common Sense Americanism: Schenck v. United States

For Students 9th - 10th
This summary provides the background for Schenck v. United States, a World War I-era Supreme Court case involving free speech. Schenck is an example of what can happen to basic constitutional rights in time of war.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that established a school principal's right to censor student articles in the school newspaper. Students learn about the limits on student free speech in a school...
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Promoting Understanding: Islam Collection

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this toolkit to promote understanding about Islam through study of the culture, traditions, and personal stories of Muslim Americans. Engaging videos, background essays, discussion questions, and teaching tips challenge students to...
Activity
Other

Insight: Should There Be a Chaplain in Congress?

For Students 9th - 10th
This site discusses the issue of whether having a chaplain in the Congress is contradictory to the First Amendment. It includes a discussion of the related Supreme Court case, Marsh vs. Chambers. (Published March 20, 2000)
Primary
PBS

James Goodale: The Interview

For Students 9th - 10th
An interview with James Goodale, the general counsel for "The New York Times" during the Pentagon Papers case, concerning the Pentagon Papers and the First Amendment.
Handout
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The 1860s: Reconstruction

For Students 3rd - 8th
Here is an article on the Reconstruction, which touches briefly on several issues that arose during this period, specifically in Texas: President Johnson's Reconstruction plan, assimilation and rights of freed slaves, the 13th and 14th...
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: George Mason 1725 1792 Introduction

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Leader of the Anti-federalist faction against strong national government, Mason fought the ratification of the U.S. Constitution for protection for individual rights; read this...

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