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...

This document provides useful information for a unit on democracy in China. While it does not include detailed activities, it does have a list of democratic principles, and important facts about China that facilitate understanding of its...

In 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.

In this United States citizenship worksheet, learners learns the qualifications for U.S. citizenship, the rights of that citizenship as well as the responsibilities therein.

In this teaching primary resources worksheet, students read and excerpt of an interview with Benjamin Franklin regarding taxation . Students read the excerpt and discuss its significance.

Students investigate the concept of having rights as citizens. For this citizenship lesson, students examine the rights that are given to citizens of the United States in the Bill of Rights. They draw pictures of eight of their...

Students examine the Bill of Rights. In 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...

Focusing on the judicial branch of government, the fourth lesson in this series explores the structure of the US courts system. Beginning with an engaging activity based on the short story The Lady or the Tiger, students go on...

The Supreme Court gets all the glory, but very few federal cases make it to the highest court. An interesting lesson explores the structure of the lower levels of the federal court system. In addition to outlining the organization of...

Harper Lee's classic tale of Scout Finch's experience with prejudice and racism, To Kill a Mockingbird, provides the text for a 23-clue crossword puzzle.

Students identify personal rights allowed under the law in the United States. An exploration of the legal process leads students to describe how the American legal system works. This lesson is intended for students acquiring English.

Middle schoolers investigate the consequences of eliminating one or more of the amendments to the Bill of Rights.

Eighth graders examine the road to the American Revolution. In this Boston Massacre lesson, 8th graders investigate the testimony of Captain Thomas Preston. Students write their own verdicts based on his testimony.

Young scholars read or listen to a piece of literature to find the connections between people and their responsibilities. They participate in a variety of activities after experiencing the literature.

Young scholars list the role of the prosecutor and the role of defense counsel. They state the elements of robbery and defense of compulsion. Students conduct a mock hearing, following the sequence of steps in an adjudicatory hearing...

In this drug companies instructional activity, 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...

In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the Bill of Rights and respond to 3 talking point questions.

In this novel test, students complete a variety of questions including true/false, short answer, fill in the blank, essay,matching and bonus questions. The cover page of the test contains a area to record the student's score.

High schoolers take a closer look at the death penalty. In this U.S. government lesson, students watch a Discovery video about capital punishment in the United States and then compose letters to the editors of newspapers about their...

Young scholars explore capital punishment. In this death penalty lesson plan, students research capital punishment and write an editorial defending 1 side of the issue.

Students discuss and examine the case of Gordon Hirabayashi.

In this English worksheet, students read "Ku Klux Klan Arrest for 1964 Murders," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.

Students discuss two computerized options to change the current U.S. government. In this Constitutional Convention lesson, students write a statement advocating for one of the choices and participate in a mock modern Constitutional...

Learn about trial by jury in this tutorial where you exercise your responsibility as a citizen by serving on a jury and deciding on a case. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.