PBS
Now With Bill Moyers: Supreme Court and Freedom of Speech
Brief descriptions of several case studies involving decisions by the Supreme Court concerning First Amendment rights, especially freedom of speech.
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Supreme Court Ends Ban on Sale of Violent Video Games
An article about the Supreme Court ending a ban on the sale of violent video games. There are also links to other related items such as a classroom activity and information about the revolution of video games.
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: First Amendment
A learning module on the First Amendment. It includes several supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Students explore how the First Amendment applies in the...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: First Amendment Protections
This resource contains an annotated look at the different topics covered within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Click on any subtopic link for in-depth information about that part of the First Amendment.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Religious Freedom and the Affordable Healthcare Act
Summary, resources, and activities addressing the constitutionality with regard to the first amendment which surfaced with the Affordable Healthcare Act.
Other
Supreme Court Historical Society:texas v. Johnson (1989)
A complete unit on constitutional law that uses the court case of Texas vs. Johnson, in which Gregory Lee Johnson was convicted of desecration of a venerated object after lighting an American flag on fire. The case became an argument...
PBS
Pbs: God in America
Site has much to offer on the topic of the 400-year history of religion and public life in America. At this point in time the full videos are available to watch for free. Topics include: American Scripture, God in the White House, Sacred...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: First Amendment
Annenberg Classroom summary and text of the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. Links to relevant news articles, video, and timeline.
Other
Bill of Rights Institute: College Bill of Rights
Colleges and universities often carry stricter policies than the Bill of Rights to protect their students, even with their students being legal adults. Explore whether this is constitutional or not with the aid of this lesson plan.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How to Turn Protest Into Powerful Change
We live in an age of protest. On campuses, in public squares, on streets and social media, protestors around the world are challenging the status quo. But while protest is often necessary, is it sufficient? Eric Liu outlines three...
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Supreme Court Considers Free Speech and Protests
Hateful as these actions may seem to many people, do groups still have the right to protest under the First Amendment? Read about the case that the Supreme Court is considering involving protests at a military funeral.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: First Amendment
Check out this interactive timeline on first amendment of the United States Constitution.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: Freedom of Speech and Association
Check out this interactive timeline freedom of speech and association in the United States.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: Freedom of Religion
Check out this interactive timeline on the history of freedom of religion in the United States.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The First Amendment
In this activity learners will analyze documents that span the course of American history to determine their connection to the different phrases found within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Other
Us Courts: First Amendment Activities
Activities for students that make learning about the 1st Amendment relevant by applying landmark Supreme Court cases to contemporary scenarios related to the five parts of the First Amendment and rights to freedom of religion, speech,...
The Washington Post
Washington Post: With Protest, Nfl Player Is Exercising His Rights
The San Francisco 49ers backup QB, Colin Kaepernick, is making waves with his knee during the National Anthem.
Other
First Amendment Center
This First Amendment site, partly news and partly background, contains information related to all the aspects of the freedoms outlined in the First Amendment.
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Robert La Follette: Senate Address:"free Speech in War Time"
This is the text of Robert La Follette's speech to the Senate, "Free Speech in War Time" delivered on October 6, 1917, in the U.S. Senate Chamber, in Washington, D.C.
Other
First Amendment Schools: Lesson Plans: Religious Liberty
A series of lessons examining freedom of religion. A few of the lessons are off-site and the links no longer work.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Foreign War and Domestic Freedom: (Civil Liberties Lesson Plan)
A lesson plan that directs students to review the concept of civil liberties and to examine examples from American history wherein rights were restricted. They will investigate key arguments between those who seek to restrict liberties...
PBS
Pbs Newshour Extra: The Dilemma of Protecting Free Speech
Students will compare various examples of offensive expression. How does the fact that the expressions are offensive to others impact Freedom of Speech? Students will review and analyze and complete a case study of cases where the...
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 1st Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 1st amendment of the Bill of Rights detailing freedom of religion, the freedom of the press, and freedom of expression in the Constitution.