Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Why is Freedom of Speech a Burning Issue?

For Students 8th - 12th
For this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the freedom of speech and respond to three short answer questions
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Regulating Freedom of Speech

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the nature and limits of the Constitutional right to freedom of speech. They read and analyze the First Amendment, discuss various case studies, and research and record their own opinion on discussion questions.
Unit Plan
Newspaper Association of America

Using the Newspaper to Teach the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment

For Teachers K - 12th Standards
Of all the amendments found in The Bill of Rights, the First Amendment contains some of the most important freedoms for American citizens. A unit plan on the First Amendment features interactive lesson plans designed to teach about those...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The First (and Last) Words

For Teachers 6th - 12th
What does "freedom of speech" mean to your class, especially in the context of Internet communications? In round-table discussion format, middle and high schoolers address the issues discussed in "State Legislatures Across U.S. Plan to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Tinker to Fraser: Freedom of Speech in Public Schools

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The Tinker and Fraser cases were taken the Supreme Court on the basis of the 1st Amendment right to Freedom of Speech. Learners discuss each case, the First AMendment, complete handouts, and conduct a role play activity. Handouts are...
Lesson Plan
Deliberating in a Democracy

Freedom of Expression

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Should democracies include hate speech as a protected right? Scholars analyze the rights found under the First Amendment to the Constitution through researching evidence. Freedom of expression becomes the focal point of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction of Restrictions on Freedom of Speech

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Pupils explore the limits of the Bill of Rights. The student and teacher roll play a situation where speech is limited.
Lesson Plan
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Facing History and Ourselves

The Importance of a Free Press

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
"Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;. . ." Why is this guarantee of free speech and a free press the First Amendment to the US Constitution? Why are these rights so essential to a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Symbolic Speech

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders consider the right of freedom of speech as it is outlined in the U.S. Constitution. They receive background information for the US Supreme Court, the Bill of Rights, and free speech. They discuss a series of actual cases...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Can’t Wear What?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Can schools ban t-shirts picturing musical groups or bands? Your young citizens will find out with this resource, which includes a summary of a United States Supreme Court case from the 1960s about a similar dispute over students wearing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political statements and protected speech

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and investigate what laws exist about freedom of speech. They write an article about this topic. Students interview the students at their school on this topic. They take a stand and support their stand with facts.
Lesson Plan
Newseum

Battle for the Bill of Rights: Ultimate Survivor Amendment Game

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
To understand the importance of the wording of the articles of the First Amendment (freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the press, and freedom to assembly and petition), teams argue before a jury for draft amendments of one...
Lesson Plan
National Constitution Center

The Development and Application of the First Amendment

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What are the limits on freedom of speech? While a cherished right in the Constitution, it is not unbridled. Budding historians consider what checks should exist on this liberty using news stories, court cases, and College Board prompts.
Lesson Plan
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Reading the Work of B. Franklin, Printer

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Placing Ben Franklin’s ideas about a free press next to those embodied in the First Amendment sheds light on both. Learners interpret and compare two primary sources and then examine them in the light of a contemporary survey about...
Lesson Plan
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Media Smarts

You Be the Editor

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Look at different case studies to discuss the ethics of journalism. Twelve real-life events are written up and your learners get to be the editors. Encourage your class to think about the implications of publishing decisions. After each...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Norman Rockwell, Freedom of Speech: Know It When You See It

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the U.S. Constitution. In this First Amendment lesson, students examine Norman Rockwell's "Freedom of Speech" and analyze the five freedoms listed in the amendment.
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Why We Have Freedom of the Press

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A newspaper receives documents that reveal not only a devastating secret the public needs to know, but also troop movements that could put American lives at risk: to publish or not to publish? Using background readings, discussion...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Respecting Freedom of Speech

For Teachers 6th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Schenck v. US

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Freedom of speech is absolute—or is it? The Supreme Court case Schenck v. United States has learners research what free speech really looks like. A short video along with paired work creates open discussion and thought on what speech is...
Activity
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Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Developing Your Voice and Your Right to Free Speech

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Three activities focus on the First Amendment, especially the freedom of speech. Scholars craft a letter to the President of the United States and express their views about a topic important to them. Another activity has participants...
Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Texas v. Johnson

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
If you saw a person burning an American flag, how would you feel? Scholars analyze the concept of freedom of expression and speech with the Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson. A short video clip creates open discussion in pairs on the...
Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Tinker v. Des Moines

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Freedom of speech allows anyone, even those in school, to say and do what they feel—right? The 1969 Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines serves as the backdrop for a study on First Amendment rights. Scholars use a short video along...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing a Newspaper Article

For Teachers 6th - 9th
The perfect resource for a beginning journalism teacher or someone designing a journalism unit, this activity prompts students to write a newspaper article. It covers all aspects of the writing process, such as a guided warm-up...
Interactive
iCivics

Supreme Decision

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Is the right to wear a band t-shirt included in our freedom of speech? Budding historians consider the question by using a video game. After a brief animated video, users drop in and listen to Supreme Court justices as they debate the...

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