How do the Constitution’s enduring principles take shape in the lived experiences of diverse communities across America? This session invites educators to explore that question through a dual lens. Participants will engage with the National Constitution Center’s nonpartisan, primary source-driven approach to examining religious liberty, while also tracing the rich and evolving story of Jewish life in America in partnership with the Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS). Together, these perspectives offer a deeper understanding of how constitutional ideals are interpreted, experienced, and carried forward across generations.
Part 1: Constitutional Thinking & Storytelling with the National Constitution Center (NCC)
The NCC will demonstrate how to bring the First Amendment to life through two core pillars of its educational framework: Historical Foundations through Storytelling and Constitutional Thinking Skills. Grounded in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, participants will:
- Go Behind the Bench: Explore the human stories and historical context surrounding a religious liberty case.
- Analyze the Opinions: Practice constitutional thinking skills to break down judicial opinions in a way that is accessible and engaging for students.
- Apply to Primary Sources: Learn how to use court opinions and related documents as storytelling tools to trace the development of religious liberty over time and illuminate its enduring importance in American public life.
Part 2: The Tapestry of Jewish American Identity with the Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS)
ICS will shift the focus to the communal and individual impact of these freedoms by exploring the rich history and diversity of the Jewish American community. Educators will examine:
- Forging New Expressions: How Jewish individuals and communities have utilized the American context to create unique expressions of their identities, blending ancient heritage with religious diversity.
- Cultural Vitality: A look at how cultural adaptation and history contribute to a community's unique "visible and invisible" attributes.
- The Multifaceted Self: Strategies for using the Jewish experience as a model to help students understand that all identities are complex, shaped by history, adaptation, and personal experience.
Why Join Us?
Educators will leave with a sophisticated toolkit for teaching the intersection of constitutional law and lived experience. ParticipantsParticipants will be prepared to guide students through rigorous, primary source-based analysis of the Constitution while inviting them to explore how those principles have been understood and experienced across a range of diverse communities. This approach helps students see both the enduring framework of the Constitution and the many ways it has shaped, and been shaped by, the American story.
