Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Landmark Court Cases
Landmark court cases regarding religious liberty throughout the history of the U.S.
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.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Learn about the 1962 Supreme court case Engel v. Vitale, which addresses the issue of religion in education.
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...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Cox v. New Hampshire (1941)
Full opinion of the United States Supreme Court in the Cox v. New Hampshire case (1941).
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.
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,...
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 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.
iCivics
I Civics: West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943)
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that it was unconstitutional for a state to force students to salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Students learn how the interests of national unity and...
Other
Freedom Forum: First Amendment Struggles & Triumphs
Find out how the First Amendment serves citizens in real life by reading about Daniel Ellsberg, Mary Beth Tinker, and Alton T. Lemon, all of whom were principal litigants in landmark Supreme Court cases regarding the freedom of expression.
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: The "Clear and Present Danger" Test
Modern first amendment law was formed by cases during the WWI era. Were dissent and subversive activity protected by freedom of speech? Examine five cases that answered this constitutional question. Included are the full opinions of the...
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...
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Exploring Constitutional Law
Although the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, its interpretation is open to many opinions, causing great controversies. Students can read the Constitution as well as the many issues that surround the document. If that proves...
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Marsh v Chambers, u.s. Supreme Court
Chief Justice Burger's majority opinion in the case of MARSH vs. CHAMBERS, 463 U.S. 783 (1983). The case dealt with whether an opening prayer in the Nebraska Legislature violated the First Amendment.
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...
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Regulation of Fighting Words and Hate Speech
Explore the constitutional conflict regarding the question of whether the first amendment limits the government's ability to regulate fighting words or hateful speech? This source contains background information and links to historical...
Other
Insight: Should There Be a Chaplain in Congress?
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)
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: Our Rights
This book uses historical case studies to explore the rights in the Constitution. Supreme Court cases are used to demonstrate how a right received its modern interpretation, how the right applies today, and how courts and other...
Social Studies Help Center
Social Studies Help Center: The Supreme Court as Defender of the Constitution
This site gives you examples of court cases demonstrating how the Supreme Court upholds the constituion. It also includes links to further information.