Classroom Resources By Topic

First Amendment Overview

Introduction

During this two-week course, students will analyze primary and secondary source documents via the Interactive Constitution to discuss and evaluate the common and divergent viewpoints on the First Amendment of the Constitution from legal scholars, the Founding generation, and fellow students through a civil dialogue that allows students to determine their own points of view and why they hold that viewpoint.

Big Questions

Classroom Materials

Download Plan of Study

The associated classroom materials allow educators to work with students for a deeper dive into the meaning of the First Amendment, the four clauses, and select Court cases over the next few class periods.

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Explore First Amendment Overview Questions

Introduction to the First Amendment Lesson: What are the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment? Freedom of Speech Lesson: When and why can the government limit speech—and when can’t it? Freedom of the Press Lesson: How does freedom of the press relate to freedom of speech? Freedom of Religion, Establishment Clause Lesson: Where does the Constitution draw the line between separation of church and state? Freedom of Religion, Free Exercise Clause Lesson: What does it mean to prohibit the “free exercise” of religion? Assembly and Petition Lesson: How can you assert your rights to freedom of assembly and petition?

Plans of Study