Website
Digital History

Digital History: Religion and the u.s. Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
A very brief explanation of the three-pronged test the Supreme Court uses to determine the constitutionality of a governmental poiicy to ensure it doesn't advocate the establishing of religion.
Handout
Wyzant

Wyzant: March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

For Students 9th - 10th
Lesson briefly describes the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and includes links to recordings of the speeches made by prominent Civil Rights Leaders on that day.
Website
US National Archives

Nara: Charters of Freedom

For Students 9th - 10th
National Archives exhibit presents selected pages of George Bush's State of the Union Address given January 31, 1990. Includes introductory essay on freedom.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Arsenal of Democracy

For Students 5th - 8th
Although Americans remained isolationist in their thinking, President Roosevelt understood that the European allies needed help against the Germans. Read about the incremental ways America became involved in World War II in Europe...
Activity
Other

Freedom Forum: What Is the Fighting Words Doctrine?

For Students 9th - 10th
A good summary of the "Fighting Words Doctrine" which was first articulated in the Supreme Court Case of Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire. Contains links to case summaries.
Unit Plan
C-SPAN

C Span American Writers: Narrative of Frederick Douglass

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief summary of The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Also includes an on-line text of the work as well as links to other informational websites.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: A War to End Slavery: John Wilkes Booth and Assassination of Lincoln

For Teachers 6th - 8th
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that examines the factors that led John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Lincoln. Also involves comparing and contrasting Lincoln's and Andrew...
Article
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: The Tech: Cnn Foils Prior Restraint

For Students 9th - 10th
An essay by a freshman at MIT gives a definition and examples of "Prior Restraint." The Tech is the MIT school newspaper. (Published Dec. 7, 1990)
Primary
Cornell University

Cornell University: Law School: Schenck v. United States (1919)

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Primary
Claremont Institute

Founding.com: Calvin Coolidge

For Students 9th - 10th
Two speeches given by Calvin Coolidge. The first was in 1924 on the topic of religious freedom. The second was in 1926 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: The First Amendment

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This resource presents lessons on the First Amendment. It contains many resources for use with children, and links to primary source documents.
Article
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

Rcfp: Court Rescinds Its Own Prior Restraint Against the Ap

For Students 9th - 10th
A judge decided not to continue to enforce a prior restraint keeping the Associated Press from releasing information it had obtained through an open records request.
Primary
US National Archives

Nara: Teaching With Documents: United States vs. Thomas Cooper

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The information, documents and lessons relating to the United States vs. Thomas Cooper case. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Defamation

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn what defamation is, and explore the legal differences between slander and libel. Other concepts include "false light" and "absolute privilege." Also looks at legal defenses used and defamation laws in other countries.
Article
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Webisode 14: Let Freedom Ring

For Students 9th - 10th
Series episode covers the civil rights movement and the struggle for equality in post-World War II America.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Gettysburg Address

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students analyze historical speeches by Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King to find rhetorical devices and features that make these speeches memorable.
Handout
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Patrick Henry

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a biography of Patrick Henry, highlighting his public speaking abilities and famous speeches.
Primary
Boston College

Boston College: Branzburg v. Hayes

For Students 9th - 10th
Full decision from the Branzburg v. Hayes United States Supreme Court case.
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: u.s. History: The Civil Rights Movement

For Students 9th - 10th
Outlines Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work as a civil rights leader from the beginning of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 up until his assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968. Describes the different protest movements, including the...
Website
Other

Cpsr: Cyber Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
CPSR offers an informative discussion of current legal and policy topics hosted by group working for rights of assembly and speech for online communities.
Handout
CommonLit

Common Lit: Text Sets: Argument, Bias, and Persuasion

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Collection of 43 Grade-Leveled texts (6-12)on the topic Argument, Bias, and Persuasion. Have students track arguments through texts as they examine logical reasoning, bias, and persuasive techniques such as emotional appeals, character...
Website
Other

The Oas and the Inter American System

For Students 9th - 10th
This site on the The OAS and the Inter-American System provides history, key dates, original and current member states, past and present secretaries general, and more.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Through this lesson, students identify individual, personal, and political rights (freedom of religion, freedom of speech, right to own property) by analyzing lives of historical African American...
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: "I Have a Dream" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech to over 250,000 people from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. In this speech, King discusses racial...

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