Curated OER
Religious Freedom
Sixth graders examine the religious issues of the early settlers in the New World and the current issue of separation of church and state. They discuss a list of colonial laws from the 1600s, participate in a class discussion, and in...
Curated OER
Mahatma Gandhi: My Freedom Fighter
While this presentation only provides a limited amount of information about Mahatma Gandhi, it could be used as an example for a student research project. The 7 slide presentation highlights key information about Gandhi's life. It could...
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Engel v. Vitale
"Is school-sponsored prayer in public schools unconstitutional?" That is the question teams debate as they consider the arguments presented to the Supreme Court in Engel v. Vitale. The attorneys study the provided talking points and...
Curated OER
Religious Influence On US History
Eleventh graders explore the influence of religion on U.S. History. Using an internet database website, they research the religious affiliation of governors, Presidents and Vice-Presidents. Students write a paragraph explaining how...
Carolina K-12
Public Christmas Displays and Lynch v. Donnelly
Does a Christmas display on government property violate the Constitution? Learners study the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and learn about the landmark Supreme Court case Lynch v. Donnelly through watching a...
Curated OER
Church and State Separation: The Challenge and the Debate
Students describe the basic elements of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment as it relates to the separation of church and state and freedom of religion.
Curated OER
Religion in Public Schools
Seventh graders conduct research on important background information regarding the role of religion in American public schools. In this Ethics lesson, 7th graders examine and become familiar with the First Amendment of the Bill of...
Judicial Learning Center
The Constitution and Rights
What's the right way to teach young historians about the Bill of Rights? Many an instructor has asked this question when pondering lesson plans over the US Constitution. The Constitution and Rights is a nifty resource that provides a...
News Literacy Project
So, What’s the First Amendment?
The First Amendment to the US Constitution protects people's rights to speech, the press, and religion. Using the resource, scholars discover how. They take a brief online quiz to determine how well they understand the First...
Curated OER
Animal Farm Theme of Religion
In this reading comprehension worksheet, learners respond to 3 short answer and essay questions based on themes in All Quiet on the Western Front. Students may also complete their choice of 3 reading activities suggested.
Curated OER
Exploring the 1981 United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief
Students are introduced to the United Nations Declaraion on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerence and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. Using the document, they discuss issues raised about the source of rights linked...
Curated OER
Is the media aiding Global Peace when reporting on religion?
Students play 'telephone' to simulate communication difficulties. In this media analysis lesson, students read and analyze newspaper articles related to religious tensions between the Pope and Muslims. Students evaluate the...
Curated OER
Religion and the First Amendment
Students examine the tenets of the First Amendment and how it applies to Islam. They observe a video about Islamic prayer and focus on rights, responsibility, and respect in relation to the religion. Students discuss the difference...
Curated OER
Religion And Magic
Students examine the indigenous religions of China (Daoism) and Japan (Shinto) to see how magical beliefs and practices form an integral part of these religions. This lesson may be controversial.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Puritan Massachusetts: Theocracy or Democracy?
Was Puritan society governed as more of a theocracy or democracy? After comparing and contrasting a series of primary source documents, middle and high schoolers form small groups and debate the question.
Curated OER
Faith-Based Initiatives: Separation of Church and State
Students examine the role of religion in everyday life. In this religion and ethics lesson, students investigate the use of government funds to support faith-based initiatives. The lesson calls for students to conduct research, watch...
Curated OER
Storytellers: Pearl Jam
Students examine the concept of freedom of speech as it applies to music. They watch and discuss the video, "VH1 Storytellers: Pearl Jam," participate in a class discussion about free speech, conduct research, and conduct a debate.
Curated OER
Freedom of Hate Speech?
Students, using a New York Times article as a springboard for discussion, investigate and debate the complex issues of First Amendments Rights and censorship for Hate Groups using Websites for propaganda.
Curated OER
The Basilica of the Assumption-A Symbol of Freedom
Fourth graders explore the importance of the Basilica of Assumption and the development of the Catholic Church in Maryland. In this social studies lesson, 4th graders discuss the Basilica of the Assumption and the Catholic Church.
National Woman's History Museum
Anne Hutchinson: Foremother of the American Women’s Movement
Many learners may be familiar with the legacy of figures such as Susan B. Anthony, but what about Anne Hutchinson? Hutchinson was a lesser-known woman who spoke up to patriarchal figures in colonial America, leading to her banishment....
Curated OER
Australia's Religious Diversity
Young scholars identify major world religions and forms of spirituality and recognise the religious diversity of communities in Australia. They brainstorm for the definition of religion. Students brainstorm to come up with a list of...
Curated OER
Painting Inside the Lines
Students examine how freedoms of expression and religion are shaped within democracies. They consider reactions to controversial art exhibit in Moscow. They compose reaction papers supporting or refuting a quotation from the article read...
Curated OER
In God We Trust; All Others Pay Cash
Learners review their knowledge on the First Amendment. After reading an article, they identify specific church and state issues. Using the Internet, they research President Bush's proposal from a specific point of view. They summarize...
Louisiana Department of Education
The Scarlet Letter
Use Nathanial Hawthorne's immortal text on the influence of religion on the early American settlements, as well as its continued impact on American culture, with a unit that focuses on The Scarlet Letter. In addition to Hawthorne's...