Individual Rights and Liberties: Free Speech

Students conduct research into looking at a free-speech issue. They role play the events surrounding a court case. The lesson plan includes guiding questions to help create context and determine areas of further study. The presentation...

When, if ever, is the government justified in restricting individual rights? When, if ever, should the "greater good" trump individual rights? To prepare to discuss this hot-button topic, class members examine primary source documents,...

How does the Bill of Rights, created over 200 years ago, still apply to the lives of American citizens to this day? Here is a fantastic resource that includes several resources on approaching the Bill of Rights with your class. After...

Have you ever watched a political speech and felt your heart beat a little faster, and your opinion either solidify or begin to slightly change? Rhetorical devices can be a strong tool in an effective and powerful speech. A short lesson...

Is your class studying civil rights? Consider taking a look at President Lyndon B. Johnson's voting rights speech. This resource includes an abridged version and three related questions. Pupils consider Johnson's use of language and the...

Freedom of speech isn't always free—or legal! The 25th lesson of a 50-part series covering the US government and politics has scholars investigate the First Amendment's rights of verbal expression. A short video creates open discussion...

Students weigh rights of students and others to free speech versus the responsibilities that come with those rights.

The Tinker and Fraser cases were taken the Supreme Court on the basis of the 1st Amendment right to Freedom of Speech. Learners discuss each case, the First AMendment, complete handouts, and conduct a role play activity. Handouts are...

In this First Amendment worksheet, high schoolers respond to 14 short answer questions about freedom of speech and restrictions 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.