Other
Freedom Forum: First Amendment Struggles & Triumphs
Find out how the First Amendment serves citizens in real life by reading about Daniel Ellsberg, Mary Beth Tinker, and Alton T. Lemon, all of whom were principal litigants in landmark Supreme Court cases regarding the freedom of expression.
Read Works
Read Works: Don't Know Much About Liberty
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in classifying and categorizing.
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: The "Clear and Present Danger" Test
Modern first amendment law was formed by cases during the WWI era. Were dissent and subversive activity protected by freedom of speech? Examine five cases that answered this constitutional question. Included are the full opinions of the...
PBS
Pbs News Hour: The Cost of the War in Iraq (Lesson Plan)
A lesson for examining the projected costs of war, both short-term and long-term costs as of 2003, and for identifying how war funds are spent. Students will gain understanding of the logistics of war and the nuances of creating a budget.
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Iraq in Transition
Web page with biographical information about key players in the war with Iraq.
FOX News
Fox News: Deadly Attack on Us Military Base
Report on the deadly attack on a U.S. base in Mosul, part of the continuing insurgency in Iraq. 12/22/2004
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: First Amendment Protections
This resource contains an annotated look at the different topics covered within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Click on any subtopic link for in-depth information about that part of the First Amendment.
Choices Program, Brown University
Choices: The Struggle to Define Free Speech: From Skokie to Paris
Relevant resource on free speech in which students examine how different societies define freedom of expression. Through multi-media sources students look at historical sources as well as current controveries over free speech.
US National Archives
White House: President Discusses Beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom
In this transcript of President George W. Bush's radio announcement to the country concerning the invasion of Iraq, he explains the nation's reasons for entering into war. (March 22, 2003)
Other
Us Courts: First Amendment Activities
Activities for students that make learning about the 1st Amendment relevant by applying landmark Supreme Court cases to contemporary scenarios related to the five parts of the First Amendment and rights to freedom of religion, speech,...
Other
Aclu: American Civil Liberties Union
Official home of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Learn about American news, what's going on with the Supreme Court and new legislation, and more at this online interest group.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in Amer.: Civil Liberties: Safeguarding Individual
Do you understand what happens when there are disputes over the interpretation and protection of civil liberties as defined in the Bill of Rights? When do the rights of the individual trump the perceived needs of society, and when do...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Freedom From Oppression (Editorial Writing Lesson Plan)
A lesson plan designed to investigate instances of genocide both historical and recent. Directs students to take on roles as members of the press and create editorials that describe genocidal tragedies and that also outline steps...
CommonLit
Common Lit: "A Thief Dines Out, Hoping Later to Eat In" by Rick Bragg
In this "New York Times" article, Rick Bragg discusses why Gangaram Mahes prefers jail time to freedom. A specific purpose for reading and vocabulary notes are provided. This site offers links to paired texts, questions and answers, an...
New York Times
New York Times: Sept. 11: One Year Later
The New York Times Learning Network provides a variety of archived news articles, lesson plans, and resources concerning the issues and events that surfaced from the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Other
Mississippi Writers' Page: Ida B. Wells Barnett
The University of Mississippi offers a detailed biography of Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862-1931) the famous freedom fighter is offered at this site. It includes an extensive bibliography of her works, and works about her, as well as some...
Curated OER
Bbc News: Ghana Celebrates First 50 Years
Ghanaians celebrating the country's fiftieth anniversary of freedom from colonial rule.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: Our Rights
This book uses historical case studies to explore the rights in the Constitution. Supreme Court cases are used to demonstrate how a right received its modern interpretation, how the right applies today, and how courts and other...
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Robert La Follette: Senate Address:"free Speech in War Time"
This is the text of Robert La Follette's speech to the Senate, "Free Speech in War Time" delivered on October 6, 1917, in the U.S. Senate Chamber, in Washington, D.C.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Religious Liberty
Use these lesson extensions to help your students understand the historical context of American religious liberty.
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: "Censorship: An Educator's Guide"
Activities, writing prompts, points of discussion and some additional resources are offered here to help with teaching about free speech and censorship.
New York Times
New York Times: Cyber Law Journal
Cyber Law Journal, a weekly publication of the New York Times, reflects on the legal issues raised by the Internet.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Landmark Court Cases
Landmark court cases regarding religious liberty throughout the history of the U.S.
A&E Television
History.com: When the Supreme Court Ruled a Vaccine Could Be Mandatory
In 1901 a deadly smallpox epidemic tore through the Northeast, prompting the Boston and Cambridge boards of health to order the vaccination of all residents. But some refused to get the shot, claiming the vaccine order violated their...