Administrative Office of the US Courts
Morse v. Frederick
If you stop a student from expressing views that advocate drug use, are you violating their right to free speech? Use the 2007 Supreme Court case Morse v. Frederick to discuss a nuanced interpretation of the First Amendment....
San José State University
Writing Concisely: Deleting or Replacing Unnecessary Information
Are you actually feeling really tired of reading wordy, redundant, long, lengthy sentences practically all the time over and over again? Introduce writers to this handout and exercise to teach to tighten up their prose! Provides two ways...
State Bar of Texas
Tinker v. Des Moines
Freedom of speech allows anyone, even those in school, to say and do what they feel—right? The 1969 Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines serves as the backdrop for a study on First Amendment rights. Scholars use a short video along...
Chandler Unified School District
Satire: The Art of Indirect Persuasion
A free press is entitled to its opinions. While the news pages report the facts of events, editorial pages feature writers' and cartoonists' opinions about events to either directly or indirectly persuade. Introduce viewers to the art of...
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
Freedom of speech is not always free. Scholars investigate how the First Amendment provides for the right to express opinions. Through the court case Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, they analyze free speech using primary documents—and hopefully...
State Bar of Texas
Schenck v. US
Freedom of speech is absolute—or is it? The Supreme Court case Schenck v. United States has learners research what free speech really looks like. A short video along with paired work creates open discussion and thought on what speech is...
Curated OER
Health Care
Options for public and privately funded health care is a valuable debate for students to follow and learn from. They can use their research to take part in a Town Hall Meeting using facts and style. They will contact the representatives...
Annenberg Foundation
Controversial Issues in Practice
Wow! This resource provides three related lessons on the First Amendment that challenge US government students to explore their personal opinion on the separation of church and state. Each lesson can be adjusted in length, but is...
Curated OER
The Declaration and Beyond
Learners are explained that they are going to use a part of Thomas Paine's 1776 pamplet Common Sense as a starting point for exploring about argumentation, or persuasive writing. They are given a copy of the excerpt. Students discuss...
Curated OER
Opposing Views on the Vietnam War
Learners consider opinions regarding the Vietnam War. For this Vietnam lesson, students compare Nixon and Johnson's policies about the war. Learners also research the anti-war movements as well as the sentiments of the those how...
Curated OER
Regulating Freedom of Speech
Students examine the nature and limits of the Constitutional right to freedom of speech. They read and analyze the First Amendment, discuss various case studies, and research and record their own opinion on discussion questions.
Curated OER
Respecting Nonreligious People
Help learners understand what an atheist is and why it is important or respect their beliefs. Using this non believers instructional activity, students will learn about people who hold different beliefs are discriminated against by...
Curated OER
New World Meets Old
Students demonstrate understanding of basic facts about Christopher Columbus and different theories regarding his background. They try to solve the mystery of Christopher Columbus' background and write an essay offering their own opinion.
iCivics
We the Jury
Learners take on the roles of jurors in a civil case to evaluate evidence and determine a verdict in this engaging online interactive experience.
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Snyder v. Phelps
Does the Westboro Baptist Church have the protection of the Constitution when protesting military funerals? High schoolers examine the 2011 Supreme Court case of Snyder v. Phelps before comparing the situation to a fictional...
Advocates for Human Rights
Deliberative Dialogue
How do you create a classroom environment where hot button topics may be discussed in a respectful manner? As part of a series of lessons that focus on immigration issues, class members examine the rules for civil discussion before...
Curated OER
The Art of Persuasion
Students analyze images using several perspectives or entry points. They create images and develop accompanying texts that support a specific purpose or function. Students assess the effectiveness of collected images and those of their...
Curated OER
Youth Leading the Way
Learners share opinions about groups or activities that give meaning to their lives. They read and discuss the article "Challenging Tradition, Young Jews Worship on Their Terms". Afterward, they investigate and write news articles about...
Curated OER
Science Mystery: The Vinland Map
Learners research proof regarding the authenticity of the Vinland map. In this geography lesson, students hold a debate based on their research findings. They discuss which side won and write a short essay about their opinion on the issue.
Curated OER
Women Monarchs And Heads Of State
Students explore the rule of women throughout history. In this world history lesson, students participate in a panel discussion which requires them to share the strengths and weaknesses of selected women rulers.
Curated OER
Drug Testing In Schools - Take A Stand
Students examine facts about drug testing in schools.
Curated OER
Lesson Plan: Spain has its own immigration issues. How does it compare to ours?
Students investigate the issue of immigration in North Carolina and Spain. They compare/contrast immigration in both and exchange opinions about possible solutions. In addition, they write an essay proposing North Carolina solutions...
Curated OER
Persuasive Writing Rubric
In this writing rubric learning exercise, students will self asses persuasive writing. On a one to four scale, students will look for idea, key points, structure, word choice, and voice.
Curated OER
Pressures and Responsibities
Students recognize some of the physical dangers of smoking. They discuss personal responsibilities regarding smoking and peruse magazines and newspapers to find at least one tobacco advertisement.