Offers classroom activities for instructing middle school students about religious diversity in the United States. Incorporates a poster that invites student speculation about the Amish lifestyle. Suggests having students examine what they know about U.S. religions and what life would be like without religious freedom. (SG)

Discusses the history of the Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF). Describes its 1957 origins, its evolution from the Los Angeles Civil Liberties Foundation, and its association with the California State Board of Education. Addresses the group's involvement in the law-related education movement. Explores the CRF's role in marking the…

Discusses the history of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Describes the evolution of constitutional rights in the United States. Explains how the Constitution, particularly the First and Fourth Amendments, has been applied to juveniles. Identifies some of the leading cases involving juvenile rights. (SG)

This bibliography focuses on the origins and development of the United States Constitution. This single bibliography is organized into two versions: (1) The Abbreviated Bibliography provides a long catalog of some major sources for a basic understanding of the events and ideas of the writing and ratification of the Constitution; and (2) the…

The Fourth Amendment search and seizure law is one of the most technical and difficult areas in all of law to understand. Some Fourth Amendment Supreme Court cases are discussed. (RM)

Presents a lesson plan for teaching about gangs and the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Includes a handout and discussion questions and identifies sources for further reading. (SG)

Describes a lesson for teaching elementary school students about moral issues and decision making. Suggests that students read "Tucker's Countryside" by George Selden and evaluate moral choices made in the story. Offers a series of activities surrounding the reading of the book. (SG)

Presents an essay examining homeless shelter residents' freedom from unreasonable searches. Reviews the historical background of the Fourth Amendment's ban on unreasonable search and seizure. Explores factors considered when determining what is "reasonable." Analyzes the concepts of standing, what constitutes a home, and consent.…

Reviews the Bills of Rights' creation and rationale. Discusses the Fourth and Fourteenth amendments and analyzes their current status. Emphasizes the Supreme Court's interpretive role. Argues that reliance on the courts will eventually result in legal interpretations that reflect dominant national opinion. Urges greater citizen responsibility for…

In this learning activity senior high social studies students examine and discuss specific parts of the Soviet Constitution and learn that there is often a big difference between theory and reality. (RM)

Reviews the controversy of teaching evolution and creationism in public schools from the early years of the twentieth century until today. Identifies two stages of the legal challenges to the teaching of evolution. Contends that academic freedom issues may provide another avenue to the Supreme Court for those supporting creationism. (CFR)

This document presents "Indiana v. Jamie L. Curtis," a fictional court case stemming from the search by school officials of a student's bookbag. The case is based upon the actual U.S. Supreme Court case of New Jersey v. T.L.O., which involved similar facts. The document includes background materials on the Fourth Amendment to the U.S.…

This series of independent lessons draws from examples of real legal issues and encourages students to refer to Constitutional interpretations and precedent cases to arrive at judgments. The lessons include: (1) "Affirmative Action: How Level is the Playing Field?"; (2) "We Are a Nation of Immigrants"; (3) "Should Elected…

Discusses legal issues concerning the First Amendment rights of Amish and Mennonite students and parents. Focuses on court decisions that upheld their rights of religious liberty and reviews the origins of their beliefs. Contends that most of the government decisions regarding religion and education reflect a fundamental respect for the religious…

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…