iCivics
I Civics: Minersville v. Gobitas (1940)
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that allowed schools to require students to salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Students learn about the First Amendment and how the interests of...
iCivics
I Civics: Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that extended First Amendment protections to students in the classroom. Students learn about the concept of symbolic speech and how students gained the right to engage in...
iCivics
I Civics: Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association (1988)
This mini-instructional activity examines the Supreme Court case that pitted the interests of government economic projects against the religious rights of American Indians. Students learn about the religious protections of the First...
Cornell University
Cornell University: Law School: Schenck v. United States (1919)
Features a syllabus of the landmark Supreme Court case of Schenck v. United States which decided that the defendant's right to criticize the draft was not protected by the First Amendment.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
Resource contains information on the case including how the justices voted, an audio file of the Oral Argument and an abstract of the case regarding high school journalists and their call for First Amendment (free speech) rights.
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Rcfp: The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
This non-profit organization collects instances of First Amendment and Freedom of Information cases throughout the United States and reports on the facts and outcomes. An interesting cross section from this section of our law.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Church and State Separation: Challenge and Debate (Lesson Plan)
Describes the elements of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment as it relates to the separation of church and state and freedom of religion. Speculates on the probable constitutional issues associated with the separation of church and...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Additional Amendments
The Constitution contains within itself the process of changing it. The amendment process is described in Article 5. Amendments can be proposed in Congress when 2/3rd of both Houses agree. The states can play a role in proposing changes...
Bill of Rights Institute
The Bill of Rights Institute: The Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. Written by James Madison in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties, the Bill of Rights lists specific...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Bill of Rights
Article on the history and purpose of the Bill of Rights which spelled out specific protections in the first 10 amendments of the Constitution.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: The Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the US Constitution guarantee citizens' essential freedoms and rights.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Illustrated Bill of Rights
For elementary students, an easy to understand illustrated explanation of the Bill of Rights is offered.
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Rcfp: The Ethics of Recording Conversations [Pdf]
This cleverly designed article contains the laws concerning taping and recording conversation in regard to privacy rights. From the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: George Mason the Virginia Bill of Rights
The Virginia Bill of Rights was the framework for the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. Some of Mason's actual phrasing appear in the first ten amendments passed fifteen years later. He is credited for authoring the first American...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Purpose of the Bill of Rights
Text of the first ten amendments of the Constitution found in the Bill of Rights.
iCivics
I Civics: No Bill of Rights, No Deal
In the debate over the Constitution, the Bill of Rights was a deal-breaker. In this lesson, students learn why the federalists thought the Constitution didn't need a bill of rights and why the anti-federalists refused to accept the...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: A 3 Minute Guide to the Bill of Rights
A brief video that summarizes the first ten amendments to the Constitution. [3:36] Followed by a quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Marsh v Chambers, u.s. Supreme Court
Chief Justice Burger's majority opinion in the case of MARSH vs. CHAMBERS, 463 U.S. 783 (1983). The case dealt with whether an opening prayer in the Nebraska Legislature violated the First Amendment.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Foreign War and Domestic Freedom: (Civil Liberties Lesson Plan)
A lesson plan that directs students to review the concept of civil liberties and to examine examples from American history wherein rights were restricted. They will investigate key arguments between those who seek to restrict liberties...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: United States Bill of Rights
This encyclopedia article from Wikipedia gives some background history to the creation of the Bill of Rights and contains a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Explaining the Bill of Rights
Read about the need for a Bill of Rights to be added to the Constitution. Find out what each of the first ten amendments means.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Battle Lost and Won: The Nineteenth Amendment
After the "Susan B. Anthony" amendment was passed by the Senate, suffragists stepped up in order to persuade the states to ratify it. Read how Texas suffragist Jane Y. McCallum was part of that cause and about the opposition she faced...
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Griswold vs. Connecticut
This site contains in-depth information about the Griswold vs. Connecticut case, concerning the right to use contraception, and its impact.
Harvard University
Harvard Law: Freedom of Speech and Anonymous Speech
This site from Cyber Harvard Law offers summaries of three different Supreme Court cases which address the limits of free speech. Includes interactive opinion, multiple-choice questions. Links to the written opinions of the Court for...