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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that established a school principal's right to censor student articles in the school newspaper. Students learn about the limits on student free speech in a school...
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Promoting Understanding: Islam Collection

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this toolkit to promote understanding about Islam through study of the culture, traditions, and personal stories of Muslim Americans. Engaging videos, background essays, discussion questions, and teaching tips challenge students to...
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Activity
Other

Insight: Should There Be a Chaplain in Congress?

For Students 9th - 10th
This site discusses the issue of whether having a chaplain in the Congress is contradictory to the First Amendment. It includes a discussion of the related Supreme Court case, Marsh vs. Chambers. (Published March 20, 2000)
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Primary
PBS

James Goodale: The Interview

For Students 9th - 10th
An interview with James Goodale, the general counsel for "The New York Times" during the Pentagon Papers case, concerning the Pentagon Papers and the First Amendment.
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Handout
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The 1860s: Reconstruction

For Students 3rd - 8th
Here is an article on the Reconstruction, which touches briefly on several issues that arose during this period, specifically in Texas: President Johnson's Reconstruction plan, assimilation and rights of freed slaves, the 13th and 14th...
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: George Mason 1725 1792 Introduction

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Leader of the Anti-federalist faction against strong national government, Mason fought the ratification of the U.S. Constitution for protection for individual rights; read this...
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Interactive
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies

Mocomi: The Bill of Rights

For Students 2nd - 8th
Learn about the Bill of Rights and when it was added to the Constitution.Provides a list of the ten Amendments.
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Handout
Danuta Bois

Distinguished Women of Past and Present: Antoinette Louisa Brown Blackwell

For Students 9th - 10th
Antoinette Blackwell was the first American woman to be ordained as a minister. She was a champion of woman's rights and lived to vote at age 95 after the adoption of the 19th amendment into the U.S. Constitution.
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Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress: Hiram Revels

For Students 9th - 10th
The United States Congress offers a biography of Hiram Revels, the first African-American Senator.
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Activity
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez Project: United States v. Butler (1936)

For Students 9th - 10th
This U.S. Supreme Court case declared the first Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) of the New Deal illegal because of the issue of Federalism. This resource provides an abstract containing a concise summary, a link to the full text of the...
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: News Debate: Religion on Display

For Teachers 7th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether or not schools should be allowed to display the 10 Commandments. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Foreign War and Domestic Freedom: (Civil Liberties Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson plan that directs pupils 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 and...
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Primary
US National Archives

Nara: Teaching With Documents: United States vs. Thomas Cooper

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The information, documents and lessons relating to the United States vs. Thomas Cooper case. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
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Article
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: The Tech: Cnn Foils Prior Restraint

For Students 9th - 10th
An essay by a freshman at MIT gives a definition and examples of "Prior Restraint." The Tech is the MIT school newspaper. (Published Dec. 7, 1990)
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Primary
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez Project: Masson v. New Yorker Magazine, Inc. (1991)

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This summary examines the impact of the 1991 US Supreme Court decision regarding the attribution of quotes to sources used in journalistic articles. Includes links to the full case, audio files, and how the justices voted on the case.
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Activity
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez Project: Schenck v. United States (1919)

For Students 9th - 10th
This U.S. Supreme Court case established the famous "clear and present danger" doctrine by dealing with the issue of freedom of speech. This resource provides an abstract containing a summary, a link to the full text of the decision, and...
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Primary
George Mason University

George Mason University: The Espionage Act of May 16, 1918

For Students 9th - 10th
The original text of Section 3 of the Espionage Act of May 16, 1918 is provided at this site.
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Activity
Other

Newseum: Petition Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
This well-documented resource provides an overview of the right to petition the government, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about this right. Recent cases and expected reforms are also explained.
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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service

For Students 9th - 10th
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
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Primary
PBS

Pbs Liberty!: Congress Adds a Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
Informative site recounting the events of December 15, 1791, when the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. Learn about the Bill of Rights and the freedoms it was designed to protect!
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Website
University of Maryland

Department of History: Freedmen and Southern Society Project

For Students 9th - 10th
Collection of primary documents that depict the social revolution and drama of the Emancipation in the words of the participants. Includes the voices of liberated slaves and defeated slaveholders, soldiers and civilians, common folk and...
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Classroom: The Bill of Rights Interactive Quiz

For Students 9th - 10th
Many Americans take for granted the freedoms contained in the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. As students play this game, they will discover surprising facts about the story behind the Bill of Rights and gain a clearer...
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Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: George Mason the Virginia Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
The Virginia Bill of Rights was the framework for the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. Some of Mason's actual phrasing appear in the first ten amendments passed fifteen years later. He is credited for authoring the first American...
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Purpose of the Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Text of the first ten amendments of the Constitution found in the Bill of Rights.

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