Media Smarts
You Be the Editor
Look at different case studies to discuss the ethics of journalism. Twelve real-life events are written up and your learners get to be the editors. Encourage your class to think about the implications of publishing decisions. After each...
Curated OER
First Amendment Rights
Learners consider the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. They do this by viewing a seven-slide PowerPoint presentation the First Ammendment and the Bill of Rights. Once you have shown the presentation, hold a class discussion...
Curated OER
A "Clear and Present Danger"
Students define what is meant by clear and present danger. In this First Amendment lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the Sedition Act of 1798. Students consider the constitutionality...
Curated OER
First Amendment or Treason?
Young scholars investigate the meaning of the First Amendments right of freedom of speech. They examine the anti-war movement that occurred during the 1960's in response to the war in Vietnam. While studying primary sources, they...
Curated OER
Right to Privacy?
Learners listen to a teacher reading of the freedoms included in the First Amendment. They, in small groups, read two editorials about privacy, and compare and contrast the two.
Harvard University
Harvard Law: Freedom of Speech and Anonymous Speech
This site from Cyber Harvard Law offers summaries of three different Supreme Court cases which address the limits of free speech. Includes interactive opinion, multiple-choice questions. Links to the written opinions of the Court for...
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Petition Signed by Thomas A. Edison
What a surprise to read about the several controversies engendered by the request that the Columbian Exposition be open on Sundays. This lesson plan examines the background of the main controversy and its relation to the First Amendment....
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Are Bible Readings Ever Allowed in School? [Pdf]
Article on the consitutionality of prayer, worship or reading the Bible at school. Students analyze Supreme Court cases, answer questions for discussion and debate the protective clause of first amendment rights.
Other
University of Arkansas: The Ordeal of Religious Test Oaths in Pennsylvania
An argumentative essay on the underlying premise of political theory which deals with religious test oaths.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Jurisdiction of Federal Courts
This site describes the jurisdiction of the Federal Court system. The site breaks the court's jurisdiction into three main areas of institutional conflict: Federal Restraint of State Courts by Injunctions, Habeas Corpus: Scope of the...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
This resource includes information on the Supreme Court case, Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier. The case involves the First Amendment rights of high school students and the publishing of their high school newspaper.
Savvas Learning
Changing Views of Free Speech
An easy to follow flow chart that shows how the idea of freedom of speech has changed throughout the years. Make sure to click on each box of information to get a more in depth description.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Freedom to Worship (Lesson Plan)
A lesson plan designed to investigate the conditions and difficulties facing immigrants who have sought religious freedom in the United States throughout history. Requires viewing of select segments from "Destination America," the...
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Rcfp: The Ethics of Recording Conversations [Pdf]
This cleverly designed article contains the laws concerning taping and recording conversation in regard to privacy rights. From the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Freedom of Speech and Automatic Language
Contains plans for four lessons that use the "Pledge of Allegiance" to discuss the concepts of freedom of speech and automatic language. Ties in well with novels that deal with First Amendment rights such as Laurie Halse Anderson's...
Read Works
Read Works: Don't Know Much About Liberty
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in classifying and categorizing.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Falwell v Flynt Trial (1984)
Asked about his first sexual experience by an interviewer, Reverend Jerry Falwell said, "I never really expected to make it with Mom, but then after she showed all the other guys in town such a good time, I thought 'What the hell!'"...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Church and State Separation: Challenge and Debate (Lesson Plan)
Describes the elements of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment as it relates to the separation of church and state and freedom of religion. Speculates on the probable constitutional issues associated with the separation of church and...
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Rcfp: The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
This non-profit organization collects instances of First Amendment and Freedom of Information cases throughout the United States and reports on the facts and outcomes. An interesting cross section from this section of our law.