Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Freedom is not Universal

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons that feature caricatures of political leaders that have been challenged. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
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1
Curated OER

It's Your Right: A Civil Rights Brochure

For Teachers 12th
Learners examine the US Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Supreme Court cases in order to broaden their understanding of the US Judicial System. They research a variety of textual and Internet resources to create a tri-fold brochure,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Independent - To Be Or Not To Be

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine national symbols of freedom and speech strategies. They study the constitution, forefathers, and the Declaration of Independence.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"I Believe..." Podcast Style

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Use this communication skills lesson to emphasize evaluating a speaker's main point and argument. After reading Martin Luther King's, "I Have a Dream Speech" and John F. Kennedy's speech, "I Believe in an America Where the Separation of...
Interactive
2
2
Judicial Learning Center

State Courts vs. Federal Courts

For Students 6th - 12th
Popular culture often portrays the Feds as the most fearsome of law enforcement agencies. Yet, someone charged with a crime is considerably more likely to end up in a state court. The lesson, one of six covering the Organization of the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Bill of Rights Day

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the Bill of Rights and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill of Rights

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Learners research, list, define and discuss all the aspects to the United States Bill of Rights. They assess their foundations by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson and reflect on all the conditions happening at the time period of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights

For Teachers 7th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill of Rights and Lawmaking

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders consider how the Bill of Rights impacts the lawmaking process in the United States. In this Bill of Rights lesson, 9th graders discuss the amendments and their limitations. Students research the role of the Legislative...
Lesson Plan
Deliberating in a Democracy

Free and Independent Press

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students determine how free press principles can be compromised. For this global studies lesson, students read an article titled "Free and Independent Press." Students respond to discussion questions regarding the article.
Lesson Plan
Deliberating in a Democracy

Cyberbullying—Alternate Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Should schools be permitted to punish young scholars for off-campus cyberbullying? After reading a passage that details statistics about cyberbullying and Supreme Court rulings about schools' ability to limit student speech,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landmark Supreme Court Cases and the Constitution: National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie (1977)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the impact of court decisions. In this Supreme Court lesson, students read the National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie (1977) case study regarding First Amendment Rights. Students take notes on the case...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VA Statute for Religious Freedom, III

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedoms and consider its implications. In this governing principles lesson plan, students explore primary and secondary sources regarding the document penned by Thomas Jefferson.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Background on the Patriot Attitude toward the Monarch

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Learners explain the Patriot attitude toward the British monarchy, which helps them embrace the Founders' reluctance to have a strong executive under the Articles of Confederation as well as their desire to build in checks of executive...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VA Statute for Religious Freedom, II. Matching Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read and analyze primary source documents. In this matching lesson, students read sections of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Students match the document sections with paraphrased sections and discuss the accuracy of...
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

The Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment

For Teachers 8th Standards
How did the Emancipation Proclamation lead to the Thirteenth Amendment? Middle schoolers analyze primary source documents including the text of the Emancipation Proclamation, political cartoons, photographs, and prints to understand...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Perseverance and the First Amendment

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the right to petition and assemble. In this Bill of Rights instructional activity, students read the First Amendment and discuss the rights guaranteed by the amendment. Students research selected groups and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Divided We Fall

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the Bill of Rights. For this U.S. Constitution lesson, students write essays for perform plays that feature the importance of the first ten amendments. Students imagine the United States without 1 of the amendments that...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Free Speech vs. Respect for Religion

For Students 8th - 12th
In this historical events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons about the First Amendment. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A "Clear and Present Danger"

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students define what is meant by clear and present danger. In this First Amendment lesson plan, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the Sedition Act of 1798. Students consider the...
Lesson Plan
Deliberating in a Democracy

Cyberbullying—Lesson Plan

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners examine cyberbullying. In this lesson on democracy, students discuss the different ways to deal with cyberbullying. They then take a position on the question of whether a democracy should allow schools to take action against off...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan: Early Political Parties

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the platforms of early political parties in the United States. In this political parties lesson, students discover details regarding the attributes and ideals of the federalists and the democratic-republicans....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Divided We Fall

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the consequences of eliminating one or more of the amendments to the Bill of Rights.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ANTICIPATORY SET

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students are be able to analyze primary sources (photographs and speeches) and write a definition of American Democracy. They are shown a photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. by Ben Fernandez, students are asked what is happening in the...