Author Description

These lesson plans on the First Amendment are designed to help elementary school students to understand the history and meaning of the First Amendment and its importance in today's society. Seven lessons for primary grades cover the following topics: (1) Forms of expression; (2) Rights in daily life; (3) The First Amendment; (4) The right to meet in groups; (5) Using your rights; (6) Rights in conflict; and (7) Take away a right. Eight lessons for intermediate elementary grade students are provided on the topics of: (1) The case of the unconstitutional framework; (2) The First Amendment in the news; (3) Life without the First Amendment; (4) Limits to First Amendment rights; (5) Is flag burning protected speech?; (6) Was a Bill of Rights necessary?; (7) How has the First Amendment changed?; and (8) Liberties around the world. Each lesson contains a brief introduction and information on objectives, skills to be practiced, time required, materials and preparation needed, procedure, enrichment/extension activity, and related children's literature. The primary grades section includes information to help teachers teach First Amendment themes and holidays, a bibliography that lists curriculum resources and background reading, and an appendix that discusses social science concepts in the included lessons. The intermediate grades section includes suggested projects, a bibliography, and an appendix briefly outlining social science concepts in the intermediate materials. Both sections contain a description of the Education for Freedom Project, a First Amendment background paper, and a general introduction to the lesson materials. (DB)