C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: First Amendment
A learning module on the First Amendment. It includes several supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Students explore how the First Amendment applies in the...
US National Archives
National Archives: The First Amendment
Students will look at documents and cases throughout American history to understand the effects of the First Amendment on our nation.
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,...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: Eighteenth and Twenty First Amendments Timeline
A timeline that documents the history of prohibition and its repeal in the United States. Each entry links to more information.
Other
Lesson Plans for Teaching the First Amendment
This FreedomForum.org site lists the three English documents that were precursors to the American Bill of Rights.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Petition Signed by Thomas A. Edison
What a surprise to read about the several controversies engendered by the request that the Columbian Exposition be open on Sundays. This lesson plan examines the background of the main controversy and its relation to the First Amendment....
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: The Stolen Valor Act and False Speech
A lesson plan, including an extension opportunity, addressing whether the Stolen Valor Act violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
C-SPAN
C Span Classroom: Social Media and Free Speech
Complete learning module with lesson plan, video, vocabulary and activities on free speech and social media. Students examine arguments through video and text and debate to what extent should social media be protected as free speech...
iCivics
I Civics: Texas v. Johnson (1989)
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that burning the American flag is a form of political speech protected by the First Amendment. Students learn about the First Amendment freedom of speech and the...
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...
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...
US National Archives
Nara: Treasures of Congress: The First Congress the Bill of Rights
Visit The National Archives & Records Administration's website on the Bill of Rights. The site gives some background information on the drafting of the Bill of Rights, lets you view the text to the document, lets you view an image of...
Other
Bill of Rights Institute: College Bill of Rights
Colleges and universities often carry stricter policies than the Bill of Rights to protect their young scholars, even with their students being legal adults. Explore whether this is constitutional or not with the aid of this lesson plan.
Other
Student Press Law Center Legal Brief: Libel Law
Excellent site for students that need to know more about libel laws. Includes a definition of libel, a process to go by in order to avoid a lawsuit, and your defense options if you happen to be involved in a lawsuit.
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Lesson Plan: Policing the Airways
This lesson plan looks at the current controversy of the FCC and making media outlets more accountable for what comes over their airways. In particular, the Super Bowl Halftime Show is discussed and looked at.
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Bill of Rights (1791)
An interactive experience with the Bill of Rights. The Our Documents group allows you to view a copy of the original Bill of Rights. There is a brief information section along with links to larger images, a typed transcript, and...
Digital History
Digital History: The Bill of Rights
Find a list of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and see why these additions were made to the ruling document.
University of California
Ucla: Freedom of Speech vs. Workplace Harassment Law
This site contains excerpts from public law review articles relating to the issues of freedom of speech and workplace harassment.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How to Turn Protest Into Powerful Change
We live in an age of protest. On campuses, in public squares, on streets and social media, protestors around the world are challenging the status quo. But while protest is often necessary, is it sufficient? Eric Liu outlines three...
Stanford University
Political Communication Lab
An interactive website that is dedicated to gathering and disseminating public opinion on a variety of issues that shape U.S. politics.
Other
Insight: Should There Be a Chaplain in Congress?
This site discusses the issue of whether having a chaplain in the Congress is contradictory to the First Amendment. It includes a discussion of the related Supreme Court case, Marsh vs. Chambers. (Published March 20, 2000)
PBS
James Goodale: The Interview
An interview with James Goodale, the general counsel for "The New York Times" during the Pentagon Papers case, concerning the Pentagon Papers and the First Amendment.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: George Mason 1725 1792 Introduction
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Leader of the Anti-federalist faction against strong national government, Mason fought the ratification of the U.S. Constitution for protection for individual rights; read this...
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies
Mocomi: The Bill of Rights
Learn about the Bill of Rights and when it was added to the Constitution.Provides a list of the ten Amendments.