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Do You Have a Prayer?

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students review the 1st Amendment and the clauses which deal with prayer/religion in schools. They discuss, in groups, the Equal Access Act, which gives students the right to practice/express their religion at school and take a quiz on...
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Roots of Religious Liberty

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the First Amendment and consider the contributions of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. They review conflicts between the rights of Church and State and write a Madisonian argument on the issue.
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Citizen Journalism

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the role of citizen journalism, freedom of the press, and the First Amendment. They analyze the results of an Internet survey, discuss the ethics of downloading copyrighted material on the Internet, and write a news story.
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Just Say It

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars 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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First Amendment Guarantee of Free Speech (Senior, Social Studies)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
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.
Worksheet
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Free Speech Questions

For Students 9th - 12th
In this First Amendment learning exercise, students respond to 14 short answer questions about freedom of speech and restrictions of speech.
Worksheet
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Church and State Questions

For Students 9th - 12th
In 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 First Amendment: Freedom of Expression

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore First Amendment rights. In this U.S. Constitution activity, students examine the freedom of expression as they view a PowerPoint presentation and listen to the lecture that accompanies it.
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The First Amendment

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the freedoms and rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students review court cases and create a collage that require them to consider the right they are guaranteed by the First Amendment.
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Public Demonstrations - Lesson Plan

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students examine various handouts to determine the value, necessity and potential limitations of assembly and public demonstrations. They then select a side and debate pre-provided questions.
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Democracy…Not Yet!

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students analyze the concept of democracy. In this democratic values lesson, students analyze the lyrics of selected popular music that address issues that challenge the role of United States as a world leader. Students create exhibits...
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Religion in Public Schools

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders conduct research on important background information regarding the role of religion in American public schools. In this Ethics lesson, 7th graders examine and become familiar with the First Amendment of the Bill of...
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A "Clear and Present Danger"

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Pupils define what is meant by clear and present danger. For this First Amendment lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the Sedition Act of 1798. Pupils consider the constitutionality...
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Exploring the First Amendment as it has been applied to Teen Journalists

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students explore the First Amendment as it has been applied to teens and teen journalists. For this First Amendment lesson, students memorize the First Amendment, complete online research of the topic, and quiz. Students read about...
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Perseverance and the First Amendment

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the right to petition and assemble. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students read the First Amendment and discuss the rights guaranteed by the amendment. Students research selected groups and movements that have...
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The First Amendment

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the First Amendment.  In this US Government lesson, 11th graders analyze the scope and meaning of the first amendment.  Students conduct a survey on First Amendment freedoms.  Student evaluate the...
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The Mayflower Compact: Freedom Contract

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read historical documents. In this freedom instructional activity, students discuss the freedoms they have, such as whom to play with at recess, and how the pilgrims must have felt when they landed in America. Students read The...
Worksheet
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The First Amendment

For Students 4th - 5th
In this government worksheet, students read the First Amendment to the United States Constitution before reading about the limitations of the laws. They answer 2 short answer questions about the freedoms, and write an essay on the back...
Worksheet
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First Amendment: Crossword Puzzle

For Students 5th - 8th
In this United States history worksheet, students use the 14 clues in order to fill in the crossword puzzle with the appropriate answers pertaining to the First Amendment.
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First Amendment: Bill of Rights

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders explore the First Amendment and the rights that are protected by the First Amendment. They discuss how the First Amendment is important to their daily lives. Students research the amendment and complete a concept map.
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Rights and Responsibility

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars identify the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and explain how these shortcomings lead to the creation of the Constitution. They explain why the Bill of Rights was added to the constitution and identify six...
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Trial Simulation Project on First Amendment Cases

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in research and role play to discover the history and importance of certain First Amendment court cases. They act out the cases in different roles in order to understand different perspectives from the prosecution to the...
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Flag Wars

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider how zoning policy shapes the character of neigborhoods. They see how zoning and loan policies have been used historically in the U.S. to benefit some people and discriminate against others. They examine tensions between...