The roots of the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution, are examined in this document. Attention is directed to English law, specifically the Magna Carta and England's Bill of Rights of 1689, as providing much of the underpinnings for the U.S. Bill of Rights. The text of 15 articles proposed by anti-federalists…

The Nassau Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is a state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a national, non-profit, non-partisan organization that defends civil liberties in and out of the courtroom. The goal of the group is the advancement of civil liberties according to strict interpretation of the U.S.…

The goal of community forums is to stimulate and sustain citizen dialogue about public issues. Topical issues and controversies are used to explore the issue of freedom of expression. The discussion is framed around three different views. Those comprising the first view believe that the balance has swung too far toward unlimited freedom and that…

Provides an activity designed to help students understand how U.S. Supreme Court judges are selected. Points out that the Constitution does not specify any qualification to serve as a federal judge, but that an unwritten rule is that all nominees have a bachelor of laws degree. (JDH)

Examines four issues involved in "Webster v. Reproductive Health Services:" (1) the preamble to the 1986 Missouri statute on abortion, (2) prohibiting public employees from performing abortions, (3) public funds for encouraging abortion, and (4) gestational age and viability provision. Focuses on the effects on the continuing vitality of…

Designed to assist elementary school teachers, these materials present a series of lessons about the United States Constitution. Ten lesson plans and appropriate work sheets are included for grades K-3. The topics covered include the age of the Constitution, a constitutional convention, elected representatives, majority rule, voting, law making,…

Written by classroom teachers from around the country, this compilation of 28 lesson plans on the U.S. Constitution and related topics is adaptable to many grade levels. Lesson titles include "Exercise Your Constitution: Constitutional Olympics for the Classroom"; "ERA for Children"; "It's in Your Pocket" (minting of…

Examines the ideas of justice, equality, and property as they are represented in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Discusses how these ideas affect the way public schools operate and the lessons educators teach or don't teach about our society. Includes ideas for classroom activities. (JDH)

Presents a game which has students interpret Articles I, II, and III of the U.S. Constitution to understand the allocation of powers among the 3 branches of government. The game helps students understand the interaction between the 3 branches of government, stressing the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances. (JDH)

This digest highlights the Constitutional and statutory foundations of the United States Supreme Court, discusses the changing role of the Supreme Court, and recommends online resources helpful in teaching and learning about the United States Supreme Court. The digest addresses general concerns of delegates at the Constitutional Convention,…

Provides a list of terms and the corresponding definitions pertaining to the First Amendment. Focuses on concepts such as, but not limited to, freedom, ratification, separation of church and state, and Constitution that are used in the articles and teaching strategies throughout this issue of "Update on Law-Related Education." (CMK)

This paper is a chronologically-organized narrative history of law-related education (LRE) in the United States. The paper begins by delineating the differences between LRE and citizenship education and describing the motivations for the creation of LRE programs in the early 1960s. Turning to the analysis of LRE, the paper argues that there have…

From the perspective of constitutional law, this volume reconciles the conflicting claims of educational reformers who demand a curriculum for national unity and those who call for multiculturalism. The first part of the book describes the educators' opposing views about core curriculum and the century-long history of the debate. The second part…

Intended to accompany the film "Mister Chief Justice," this study guide introduces the life of John Marshall and early U.S. history through a fictional account of a dinner party at the home of the chief justice in March, 1801. The guide presents the historical characters who attended the dinner, including John Marshall, Mary Willis…

A compilation of more than 50 lesson plans on law related education, these materials were written by middle school and high school teachers from around the United States. The lessons cover a broad range of topics including "DNA Fingerprints and the Constitutional Right to Privacy"; "Censorship and Book Banning in Public Schools"; "The Death…