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Taking to the Airwaves
Learners consider the purpose of talk radio and examine its importance in the new democratic Iraq. They enact mock talk shows based on current events and reflect on the value of free speech and the role audience members play in radio...
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Press-ing Freedom
Learners consider how free speech applies to journalistic practices in light of a legal case involving two reporters. They participate in a fishbowl discussion about journalism codes of ethics and write response papers.
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Free Speech or Hate Speech?
Students see the difference between protected and prohibited speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment. They explain why free speech is essential to a democracy and consider how best to deal with speech they find offensive.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 2: The Debate in Congress on the Sedition Act
Pupils research and discuss the provisions in the Constitution that supported the arguments for and against the Sedition Act. They articulate objections to and arguments in favor of the Sedition Act.
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Justice in America
Students use the Preamble to the Constitution as the central resource, to consider the concept of justice in the United States, from past times to the present. Thoughtful questions are posed and helpful hand-outs provided.
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Across The Centuries
High schoolers analyze the American Bill of Rights, compare it to the English Bill of Rights and note the differences in an essay. They access websites imbedded in this plan to do their research, then present their findings to the class.
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Just Say It
Learners explore the initial Supreme Court decision to regulate commercial speech, and then analyze the legal precedents and principles underlying a recent case contesting this regulation.
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Burning Hatred
Learners examine the constitutionality of various forms of expression; they then take part in a mock trial on the issue of cross burning. Divide the class into three groups; Supreme Court Justices, and two groups that don't agree on this...
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First Amendment Guarantee of Free Speech (Senior, Social Studies)
Learners receive a list of banned books from which they choose one to read. They read their chosen book and write a paper that includes a discussion of the First Amendment and its guarantees and the reason(s) why they believe their book...
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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.
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Government is News: Studying the Constitution
Sixth graders explore the United States Constitution. In this social studies lesson plan, learners discover how a bill is made into law, study the election process, and identify specific elements of the Bill of Rights.
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Password
Students identify vocabulary words from the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. In this vocabulary lesson plan, students are given clues and say the word from the clues.
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Bill of Rights
For this Bill of Rights worksheet, students listen to a song titled "Bill of Rights," then match amendments to their descriptions. An answer key is included.
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Bill of Rights and Lawmaking
Ninth graders consider how the Bill of Rights impacts the lawmaking process in the United States. For this Bill of Rights lesson, 9th graders discuss the amendments and their limitations. Students research the role of the Legislative...
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Breaking Barriers
Students examine the context of a speech delivered by Barack Obama. In this African-American history lesson, students discuss the 15th Amendment and the American Civil Rights Movement prior to analyzing Barack Obama's speech "A More...
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The Bill of Rights Today
Students discuss the Bill of Rights and how the Bill of Rights relates to everyday life. In this Bill of Rights lesson plan, students identify and explain each amendment.
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The Bill of Rights
Seventh graders determine why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. In this U.S. government lesson, 7th graders discuss the first 10 amendments and any vocabulary they may be unfamiliar with. Students then read different...
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The Right to Vote
Students discover voting barriers. In this government lesson plan, students explore the history of voting. Students work in small groups to analyze and debate if certain groups of people should have the ability to vote or not.
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Free Speech Questions
In this First Amendment worksheet, students respond to 14 short answer questions about freedom of speech and restrictions of speech.
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Church and State Questions
For this U. S. government worksheet, high schoolers respond to 17 short answer questions about the first amendment and the separation of church and state.
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The American People, “Creating a Nation”
In this early American history worksheet, students read noted pages in their textbooks and then respond to 7 short answer questions regarding the U.S. Constitution and its formation.
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Susan B. Anthony and the 19th Amendment
Students take a closer look at the Women's Suffrage Movement in America. In this women's rights lesson, students research suffrage leaders and write papers about them. Students then read and discuss information about Susan B....
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The Women's Suffrage Movement Signature Debacle
Students examine the Women's Suffrage Movement in Nebraska. In this women's rights lesson, students explore primary and secondary sources regarding suffrage in the state and obstacles that women in the state faced when it came to casting...
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Women’s Suffrage
High schoolers examine several aspects of the Women's Suffrage Movement. In this women's rights lesson, students explore several primary and secondary sources regarding the events of the movement, opposition to the movement, and the...