According to former Supreme Court Judge Sandra Day O'Connor, active citizenship requires that students know how to persuade others by logic, seek consensus, understand and create constructive dissent, and practice other vital critical-thinking skills. However, in the 2010 National Assessment of Educational Progress in civics, only one in four…

"We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution," is an educational program developed by the Center for Civic Education. The program instructs students on the history and principles of American constitutional democracy with the primary goal of promoting civic competence and responsibility among the nation's elementary, middle, and…

If students are to fulfill their obligations and rights as U.S. citizens they must develop the ability to make careful judgements, based on a reasoned historical perspective and a meaningful conception of the basic democratic values underlying citizenship in our constitutional order. To this end, an agenda of 12 core civic values that are…

This theme issue on the freedom of assembly includes three sections: (1) "World History: Wat Tyler's Rebellion," a glimpse into the English past that provides a valuable perspective for understanding the turbulent origins of the right of U.S. citizens to assemble; (2) "U.S. History: William Lloyd Garrison and the Boston Mob,"…

Argues that it is impossible to teach U.S. history without discussing how law influences economic and social behavior. Examines five ideas associated with political science through six chronological periods of U.S. history. Includes an annotated bibliography linked to the political ideas and historical periods. (CFR)

This guide is to help lawyers and law students work with young students and classroom teachers to integrate lessons on the Bill of Rights into the regular classroom program. Suggestions are given on adapting the lessons for learning disabled, hearing impaired, and gifted students. Lesson plans contain objectives, key concepts and vocabulary, notes…

Describes the real-world impact on a class of fourth graders of a civics lesson about constitutional government taught by high school students. (SR)

This teacher's guide accompanies a 26-minute video by the same name. Intended for grades 3-8, the teacher's guide provides activities to support further exploration of cultural diversity, offers cooperative learning projects, and supplies reproducible masters to use with the interactive segment of the video program. Suggestions are made for five…

Explores how a defendant can face a civil action and criminal prosecution for the same act without violating the principle of double jeopardy. For instance, burning down a house can engender criminal prosecution charges and a civil suit from the insurance company. Double jeopardy only applies to criminal actions. (MJP)

Offers suggestions for teaching constitutional issues and the Bill of Rights. Observes that student achievement and response is significant when core content, primary documents, and case studies are employed. Describes procedures for class discussions and recommends U.S. Supreme Court landmark cases for freedom of the press and speech issues. (NL)

This book of essays connects controversies over rights and liberties today to their historical antecedents while explaining how social, political, and cultural changes have influenced understandings of specific provisions of the Bill of Rights. Written for teachers using a collaborative effort, each essay is accompanied by bibliographic…

This instructor's guide assists secondary social studies educators in making effective use of the five-part video series, "That Delicate Balance II: Our Bill of Rights." In the tradition of "The Constitution: That Delicate Balance," the series introduces students to the Bill of Rights and the controversies that have arisen over…

Intended for use by high school U.S. history and government teachers and students, these scripted trials and related materials are designed to help students develop an understanding about important ideas in the U.S. Constitution. The document focuses on three fundamental issues of the Bill of Rights: search and seizure, freedom of expression, and…

The religious liberty clauses of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States are the most important political decision for religious liberty and public justice in history. Two hundred years after their enactment, they stand out boldly in a century darkened by state repression and sectarian conflict. The controversy now surrounding…

Aiming to educate adult learners on the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, this teachers' guide focuses on cases and controversies about individual rights which are most relevant to the lives of adults. The worktext for adult learners provides some basic background information about the development and interpretation of the Bill of…