Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson on the Sedition Act
Students research and cite arguments Jefferson used in objecting to the Sedition Act. They discuss Jefferson's opinion on how constitutional questions about the Sedition Act could be resolved.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Shine the Light on Your Government
What don't we know about our government? Explore the concept of transparency and freedom of information throught this analysis handout, in which scholars examine 2 political cartoons. Background information provides context, explaining...
iCivics
I Can’t Wear What?
Can schools ban t-shirts picturing musical groups or bands? Your young citizens will find out with this resource, which includes a summary of a United States Supreme Court case from the 1960s about a similar dispute over students wearing...
Curated OER
Front Page News
Students write original earthquake articles typically found on the front page of a newspaper. Each student has the freedom to write in a variety of writing styles (lead story, human interest story, editorials, etc.). They research...
Curated OER
Stonewall and Beyond: Gay and Lesbian Issues
Help learners understand their own biases and how their perspectives may have been influenced by biased media sources. They keep a journal while viewing videos, exploring websites, and engaging in class discussions related to gay and...
Curated OER
Norman Rockwell, Freedom of Speech: Know It When You See It
Students explore the U.S. Constitution. In this First Amendment lesson, students examine Norman Rockwell's "Freedom of Speech" and analyze the five freedoms listed in the amendment.
Curated OER
Breaking News English: California Abduction
In this Jacee Lee Dugard instructional activity, students read the article, answer true and false questions, complete synonym matching, complete phrase matching, complete a gap fill, answer short answer questions, answer discussion...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Aung San Suu Kyi
In this Aung San Suu Kyi worksheet, students read the article, answer true and false questions, complete synonym matching, complete phrase matching, complete a gap fill, answer short answer questions, answer discussion questions, write,...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Jordan
In this Jordan worksheet, students read the article, answer true and false questions, complete synonym matching, complete phrase matching, complete a gap fill, answer short answer questions, answer discussion questions, write, and more...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Iraq
For this Iraq worksheet, learners read the article, answer true and false questions, complete synonym matching, complete phrase matching, complete a gap fill, answer short answer questions, answer discussion questions, write, and more...
Judicial Learning Center
Your 1st Amendment Rights
Why should classes care about the First Amendment? An engaging lesson serves as a powerful tool for answering just that. As all four cases in the lesson relate directly to freedom of expression in schools, young scholars explore the...
Curated OER
Construction Starts on Freedom Tower
Students are introduced to an image of Freedom Tower, then read a news article about the construction of this building that will be completed in 2011. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with...
Curated OER
The Four Freedoms
Students discuss the four freedoms. In this freedom lesson, students discuss freedom of speech, freedom to worship any God, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. They create a picture to match each freedom and make a book shaped like...
Curated OER
First Things First: Using the Newspaper to Teach the Freedoms of the First Amendment
Students use the newspaper as a tool to make connections about what the five freedoms guarantee in the First Amendment. In this first amendment lesson plan, students analyze events in the newspaper to form conclusions about the freedoms...
Curated OER
American History Operation Iraqi Freedom
Students consider the responsibilities of American troops. In this Operation Iraqi Freedom lesson, students watch video segments regarding the work of the Arkansas National Guard. Students research media sources to determine the balance...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Freedom is not Universal
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.
Curated OER
Writing Newspaper Articles
Students write newspaper articles regarding their service learning experiences. In this writing skills lesson, students review the writing process skills to develop high-quality articles. Students write articles regarding the their acts...
Curated OER
Freedom Is
Students explore various ideas of freedom by comparing the profiles of seven Mainers from the early 19th century. They discuss freedom and what they think it means to be free. Students complete a Freedom Matrix to explore how seven...
Curated OER
Examine Government, Statistics and the Media
In this government, statistics, and media worksheet, students click on the links to learn more about government, statistics, and the media, and answer short answer questions about it. Students complete 5 questions.
Newseum
Introduction to the First Amendment: What’s a Violation?
Young historians take an in-depth look at the five freedoms granted by the First Amendment. Groups apply their knowledge of the freedoms to a series of scenarios to decide if the depicted actions represent a violation of the amendment.
Annenberg Foundation
Student Voices
Whether it's an election year or not, a unit on voting patterns and political campaigns will awaken the civic pride in your high school citizens. Divided into six parts, the curriculum covers various facets of an election, including...
Curated OER
Creating an Ethnic Student Newspaper
Students examine the role of the Black Press. In this African American history lesson, students watch segments of a video titled, " Too Long to Have Others Spoken for Us." Students respond to discussion questions regarding each of the...
Federal Judicial Center
Amistad and Dred Scott—a Comparative Activity
What do slaves fighting for their freedom on board a ship and a slave fighting for his freedom in a courtroom have in common? Budding historians investigate the two different cases of the Amistad slave revolt and the Dred Scott argument....
Curated OER
Creating a New Media in the Arab World
Students explore the pros and cons of government-sponsored media into a war-torn country and determine whether the news will be considered information or propaganda.