Within a First Amendment context, this article reviews three recent cases regarding public school curricula and allegations concerning establishment of occult religious practices in elementary school classrooms. In each case, a curricular challenge withstood constitutional scrutiny. There was no conspiracy to bend children's minds to satanism or…

Provides a crossword puzzle with twelve across and down clues that addresses the various facts and concepts about the First Amendment and related issues that were discussed throughout this issue of "Update on Law-related Education." Explains that students should ponder the information they learned in order to complete the puzzle. (CMK)

Asks questions related to the issue of freedom of speech, and uses that as a teaching strategy to examine the issues of citizenship rights and responsibilities. Provides 12 federal court cases as precedents and allows the students to be the judge by exploring the facts, the legal issues, and the constitutional principles. (NL)

Describes a flag-burning incident for classroom discussion on the issue of speech protected by the First Amendment. Includes background information and two legal opinions concerning the case. Encourages students to decide which opinion they agree with and which should be the majority opinion. (NL)

Introduces students to the issues of constitutional free speech, and provides hypothetical situations that allows them to make decisions concerning a proposed action and to identify when free speech is protected by the First Amendment. Each action is based on a legal precedent, and the teacher is provided with case references to aid in classroom…

Outlines a lesson plan for discussing the civil rights of public school students. Uses the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier as a basis for discussing freedom of expression protected by the First Amendment. Provides materials for student use and detailed directions for implementation of the lesson. (KO)

Presents a lesson plan on the First Amendment that encourages students to think about what their lives, both now and in the future, would be like without the First Amendment freedoms. Gives the poster "First Amendment Freedoms" that identifies the first five freedoms of the amendment and a student handout. (CMK)

Reviews 10 resources on First Amendment issues and related social studies topics available from the Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC). Presents information pertinent both to the classroom teacher and to school administrators concerned about First Amendment issues. Gives annotated bibliographical information. (CH)

Examines the relationship between constitutionally protected freedom of expression and the state's interests in inculcating common values in the young through public education. Argues that the state may only transmit values that are express or implied in the Constitution and that the courts have not addressed this issue. (PGD)

Presents a lesson plan to focus students' attention on the Supreme Court decision that the Communications Decency Act of 1996 violated the First Amendment right to free speech. Includes a background statement, list of objectives, outline of procedures, handout about the case, and a handout with discussion questions. (DSK)

An attorney for the plaintiffs in the "Smith vs. Board of School Commissioners of Mobile County, Alabama" case recounts his impressions of the trial, focusing on the nature of the press coverage. (NKA)

Argues students' understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights is enhanced by reviewing historical decisions concerning ratification. Classroom discussion using "Original Intent" documents allows students to develop insight into the relationship between church and state and into judicial application of the Establishment…

Asserts that before civics/government teachers teach about the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, students should be introduced to the religious and philosophical background of religions freedom in the United States. Identifies issues and historical documents that provide the foundation. (CFR)

Presents a plan for a student-organized open discussion relating to conflicts between the desire to protect children from harmful material on the Internet and the need to protect First Amendment rights. Includes a note to teachers, instructions for conducting the forum, background information, and roles for students participating in the…

Introduces the censorship, and imprisonment of Jehovah's Witnesses who distributed, "The Finished Mystery," which contained antiwar statements deemed seditious during World War I. Asks students to examine a Justice Department document pertaining to the case. Helps students decide whether national security needs should override First…