The justices ultimately decide how the First Amendment should be applied. Many of these materials indicate an overall goal, offer suggestions on how to teach the lesson and list additional resources and enrichment activities. ROLE PLAY Divide students into five groups, and assign each group one of the freedoms protected by the First Amendment. Assign the skills sheet Analyzing a Primary Source: Tinker v. Des Moines, which includes an excerpt from the landmark 1969 Supreme Court case thatâs widely considered the most important school-related First Amendment ruling. 1 class period When confronted by a parent or other individual who wants an item removed or reclassified, listen carefully to what is being said (and what is not). In one innovative program in South Carolina called Communicate through Literature, librarian Pat Scales invited parents to the library once a month, without students, to discuss contemporary young adult books that their children might be reading, to understand how the books helped their children grow intellectually and emotionally, and to encourage parents to discuss books with their children. Put key contacts on the library’s mailing list. Want to learn more about the first amendment and Texas v. Johnson? Bill of Rights - the first 10 amendments It is a living part of the everyday lives of every one of us. Students are asked to create questions on the left side of the notes and a paragraph summary at the, This activity is always a class favorite and it's a great way to get students processing the first 10 amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Copy this Activity to My Activities for editing: In this activity for middle-schoolers, students 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. New questions arise with each new era, like issues today regarding social media.). Each. Amendment Games & Activities for Kids. Students will look at the representatives signing the Constitution, interact with a map of the 13 colonies, analyze a piece of art showing the Constitutional Congress, rewrite and reflect on the First Amendment. Teaching the First Amendment is enhanced and enriched immeasurably by “doing” the First Amendment. Raise awareness of the First Amendment by having students wear red, white and blue on a designated day. Weâll send you updates on digital features and tips here throughout the year. Students know what First Amendment issues interest them. For grades 8-12. The First Amendment is the cornerstone of a free society. The online tool for teaching with documents, from the National Archives, https://www.docsteach.org/activities/student/the-first-amendment, transcript of the Bill of Rights and the history of its creation, Amicus Curiae Brief from the American Civil Liberties Union to the Supreme Court Regarding Everson v. Board of Education of Ewing Township, New Jersey. Higher Level Have students research other Supreme Court cases that deal with the First Amendment. Ten-lesson curriculum designed to help teachers educate students about religious liberty in a pluralistic society. ), ⢠CLOSE READING: Based on the article, why doesnât the First Amendment prevent Facebook or other social media companies from banning certain users? First Amendment, U.S. Constitution. (The First Amendment guarantees Americansâ freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the right to assemble peacefully and to petition the government for change. This landmark 1st Amendment case set the stage for free speech cases to come during a turbulent time in American Politics. by . First Amendment Activities. Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier Student newspapers and free speech. Approximate time needed is 20-30 minutes. As more become available, they will be added. Is it legal to protest? Then watch the video âFree Speechâand Its Limitsâ at junior.scholastic.com. Teaching the First Amendment is enhanced and enriched immeasurably by “doing” the First Amendment. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances." Roadways to the Federal Bench: Who Me? The outcomes of the cases are also included. Discuss what this means for readers and viewers, and the need to carefully evaluate sources. Both Williams and Beverly Ashby, principal of Butler Middle School, a First Amendment School in Salt Lake City, Utah, said schools are the most logical place for students to practice the citizenship skills outlined in the First Amendment. Students can build a strong understanding of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the freedoms guaranteed through it with the use of hands-on activities. Instructions This activity may be taught following an introduction to the First Amendment. The First Amendment isn’t an artifact of legal history buried in the past. Instruct students to look for common principles that are used to clarify First Amendment freedoms. The primers and lessons may be used in history and government, civics, language arts and journalism, art, and debate classes. Students will discuss just how far individual rights extend, examining rights in the school environment and public places. ASSESS COMPREHENSION Are you getting the free resources, updates, and special offers we send out every week in our teacher newsletter? tel: for Teachers, Parents, and School Officials, NOTE: Guide for Student Protesters available here, The First Amendment in Schools: Introduction. Kids learn about the First Amendment of the United States Constitution including freedom of religion, speech, the press, the right to assemble, the right to petition the government, and fun facts. Teachable aspects of the First Amendment include: In this section of the website, 1 for All has gathered a host of resources and ideas to help teachers teach the First Amendment. Provide groups of students with the text of the First Amendment on a large sheet of chart paper. Each student in a group will be assigned one of the rights from the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution to research and complete critical-thinking questions. I usually give each group an article with biographical information about each historical person listed, but you could allow students to research online. Is it legal to express your point of view? Help tomorrow’s citizens find their voice. The primers, lesson plans and resources below will draw young people into an exploration of how their freedoms began and how they operate in today’s world. The ABA’s Division for Public Education provides teaching resources. Some examples include limits within public schools, such as prohibitions on certain items of clothing or the right of local governments to impose curfewsâdespite First Amendment protections of the right to assemble. Students will then take notes on the Cornell Notes T, Analyze the 1st Amendment with this easy to use lesson resource! This site offers lesson plans on news, journalism ethics, law/First Amendment, and news literacy. Snyder v. Phelps Encourage parents to raise questions about curricular materials directly with their child’s teacher, and encourage teachers to be willing and available to discuss concerns with parents. Activities and projects can bring home the importance of First Amendment freedoms in … Teachers Pay Teachers is an online marketplace where teachers buy and sell original educational materials. To provide materials representative of the many religious, ethnic, and cultural groups that have contributed to the American heritage. Also bestows a variety of scholastic journalism-related awards. Where Critical Thinking They wanted to make sure that the new government they had created didnât overstep its bounds. Constitutional provisions safeguarding individual rights place limits on the government and its agents, but not on … Ask students to consider the section âDoes freedom of the press allow the media to write or air whatever it wants?â Ask students to consider how freedom of speech and the press applies to bloggers or social media users today. First Amendment Activities Bundle- Gallery Walk, Task Cards, puzzles & more. Language arts, journalism, the visual arts — all offer instances in which First Amendment freedoms can conflict with attempts to suppress or restrict free expression. Have students read the article on their own, writing down any comments or questions. … Eight cases are showcased with an accompanying question. Students will read quotes from the founding fathers about the first amendment and write about what their favorite quote is and why and why they think the first amendment is important. Each group should create a scenario that would test the limits of its assigned freedom and present it to the class. Why do you think it has agreed to hear so many? Each group should create a scenario that would test the limits of its assigned freedom and present it to the class. Your students will be engaged in this fun and collaborative jigsaw activity. Complaints, standing alone, will not be considered grounds for disciplining teachers or librarians. Lower Level Divide students into small groups to read each section of the article aloud. Access this article and hundreds more like it with a subscription to Junior Scholastic magazine. This 5-page activity includes a handout with 5 cases. Divide students into five groups, and assign each group one of the freedoms protected by the First Amendment. Have students write their answers to each question, or use these prompts to guide a discussion. As a program of national outreach, the center provides the Interactive Constitution resource. Teach your students the rights they have under the 1st Amendment through a fun jigsaw activity. Educators should always have a rationale for the materials employed–regardless of whether they think something is potentially “controversial.”. (Answers will vary but may include that First Amendment rights are limited for kids. Students will use graphic organizers to understand the role of the courts and how they decide cases and a hands-on sort to analyze real U.S. Supreme Court cases. We have the freedom to speak, write, worship, assemble, and ask the government for change, but how do we as citizens use those freedoms? History Biography Geography Science Games. This activity tests a student's knowledge on Supreme Court cases concerning the first amendment.