This report addresses the long-term educational responsibility of helping young people become more knowledgeable about the meaning and values of the U.S. Constitution in their personal and civic life. The Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution and the upcoming Bicentennial of the U.S. Bill of Rights in 1991 present the opportunity to refocus…

Teachers have a professional/ethical obligation to teach their subject in as balanced a way as possible so that students will not come away with a biased slant that, in their eyes, has been validated by the school system. The teaching of social studies, especially history, would be impoverished if matters of religious beliefs and influences were…

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…

Provides annotations for 11 documents concerned with teaching about the Bill of Rights and related issues. Includes details for obtaining these documents through the ERIC system and provides other bibliographic information. (CH)

Traces the application of the constitutional protection from "unreasonable searches and seizures" as it has evolved in response to public attitudes and changes in technology. Includes a synopsis of relevant cases and two lesson plans. The cases concern a police search through trash bags and drug testing for athletes. (MJP)

Introduces a special issue topic: "Taking Stands in American History." Maintains that every generation has included citizens who have taken stands fusing the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. Previews topics and contents of articles that are included in this issue. (CFR)

This report is a compilation and review of research done in the United States in the last 8 years. Believing that it is necessary to have teachers who can empathize and cope with classroom manifestations of constitutional rights, civil rights, unemployment, war and violence the author investigates 3 categories of teacher training: curriculum…

Provides a lesson for middle school students, examining the expansion and contraction of civil rights in response to sociopolitical developments. Suggests that students review voting rights extensions and analyze case studies involving students' freedom of speech. Lists topics for student research on a variety of free speech issues. (CH)