Examines message T-Shirts as a medium for student expression and the ability of public schools to regulate those messages. Predicts that as violence and insolence increase in schools, courts will probably continue to defer to school authorities and let them handle their own problems. (77 footnotes). (MLF)

Briefly reviews the historical development of civil procedure (the rules that dictate how a civil case can proceed through the courts) and identifies some of its main components. Discusses procedures such as subject matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction, venue, discovery, motions practice, pleadings, pretrial conference, and trials. (MJP)

The role of the U.S. Constitution as a model for an influence on the establishment of governments in other nations offers an effective vehicle for expanding education about this nation's civic values, rights, and responsibilities. By studying how the ideas and principles of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights have been adopted, adapted,…

This collection of lesson plans presents ideas for educators and persons in the law and justice community to teach young people about the Bill of Rights. The lesson plans are: "Mindwalk: An Introduction to the Law or How the Bill of Rights Affects Our Lives"; "Bill of Rights Bingo"; "The Classroom 'Constitutional…

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…

This resource packet contains a variety of teaching strategies designed for teachers to help students better understand the historical development and contemporary significance of the Bill of Rights. Forty-seven activities are included for both elementary and secondary students. The packet also includes a glossary and lists books for young…

Just as human rights belong equally to all human beings and the role of government is to secure those rights, education in regard to human rights belongs in the core of civic education and the role of that education is to develop within the student a reasoned commitment to human rights. The writers of human rights documents throughout history have…

The 200th anniversary of the United States Constitution offers an excellent opportunity for encouraging renewed study of the principles and foundations of constitutional government. This resource packet provides a listing of current materials and resources to aid teachers in planning lesson units. The listings include: (1) professional…

Materials and resources to aid teachers in the instructional process on the U.S. Constitution are annotated in this document. The 50 listings include: (1) teaching materials; (2) periodicals; (3) audio-visual materials; and (4) background books. Each of the annotations includes: (1) a citation; (2) a description of the item; and (3) source…

Twenty activities and seven educational objectives help teachers inform students of their rights as citizens. Each objective is demonstrated through the use of one or more activities that help students experience the learning for themselves. Each activity consists of teaching procedures and student handouts. Section 1 is an examination of the Bill…

Designed for use in the junior high school curriculum, two lessons involve students in the structure and procedures of the jury system as it functions within the court system. Although intended for use with a slide program and computer software program, activities in the teaching guide can be used independently. For each lesson, background…

The dimensions of the separation of powers principle are explored through three lessons in the subject areas of U.S. history, U.S. government, and world history. In 1748, a French nobleman, Baron de Montesquieu, wrote a book called "The Spirit of the Laws," in which he argued that there could be no liberty when all government power was…

Although the Supreme Court has answered the important questions concerning the constitutional requirements for searches of students by school officials in the public schools, many issues remain unresolved. School officials are advised to proceed with caution, particularly with regard to strip searches, mass searches, and dogs to sniff students…

Outlines the confusion surrounding a Supreme Court decision in the "New Jersey vs. TLO" case, which put at issue the prohibition against unreasonable searches in schools. The Court's decision allows a lower standard of reasonableness to be applied in school searches. The standards are not clear and are open to serious question. (MD)

First Amendment responsibilities of public colleges and universities to provide access to university facilities for First Amendment activity are analyzed within the public forum doctrine. State action doctrine and implications for private institutions are considered, public forum law in the university setting is discussed, and recent litigation is…