The First Amendment

Freedom: Speech; Press; Religion; Petition; and Assembly

James Madison, the author of the Bill of Rights, believed that a guarantee of these five freedoms was the cornerstone of a democratic society. Because of their importance, he placed them first among the ten amendments that make up the Bill of Rights.

We will continue a discussion of their importance today, and watch a filmed dramatization of these rights in action from the Discovery Education Channel. The title of the film is "On Common Ground: Collision Course".

This video confronts First Amendment rights and contemporary debates on immigration, labor, and the working class. Just click on the box below to watch.

The Bill of Rights Continued

Today we will look at some Supreme Court cases dealing with first amendment rights.

Case 1: Texas vs Johnson (1989)
Gregory Lee Johnson burned an American flag outside of the convention center where the 1984 Republican National Convention was being held in Dallas, Texas. Johnson burned the flag to protest the policies of President Ronald Reagan. He was arrested and charged with violating a Texas statute that prevented the desecration of a venerated object, including the American flag, if such action were likely to incite anger in others. A Texas court tried and convicted Johnson. He appealed, arguing that his actions were "symbolic speech" protected by the First Amendment. The Supreme Court agreed to hear his case. What do you think the Court decided? Before you make a decision, look at this similar case:
http://www.uscourts.gov/outreach/topics/firstamendment/speech/backgroundTX.html

Now discuss the case with your group, come to a decision for or against Johnson. Explain your answer on a word document. If there is a dissenting opinion, include it as well. Click on the link below to read the decision made by the Supreme Court:
http://www.uscourts.gov/outreach/topics/firstamendment/speech/texasfacts.html
on the word document, include the decision made by the Supreme Court.

Case 2: Engle vs. Vitale (1962)
A New York State Law required public schools to open each day with the pledge of allegiance and a non-denominational prayer in which the students recognized their dependence upon God. The law allowed students to absent themselves from this activity if they found it objectionable. A parent sued on behalf of his child, arguing that the law violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, as made applicable to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. What do you think the Court decided? Before you decide, look at these similar cases:
http://www.uscourts.gov/outreach/topics/firstamendment/engel/cases.html

Now discuss in your group and make a decision for or against Engle. Explain your decision on a word document. If there is a dissenting opinion, include that as well.
Explain your answer. Click on the link below to read the decision made by the Supreme Court:
http://www.uscourts.gov/outreach/topics/firstamendment/engel/facts.html
On your word document include the decision made by the Supreme Court


Case 3: Morse vs Frederick (2005):
Joseph Frederick, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School, unfurled a banner saying "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" during the Olympic Torch Relay through Juneau, Alaska on January 24, 2002. Frederick's attendance at the event was part of a school-supervised activity. The school's principal, Deborah Morse, told Frederick to put away the banner, as she was concerned it could be interpreted as advocating illegal drug activity. After Frederick refused to comply, she took the banner from him. Frederick originally was suspended from school for 10 days for violating school policy, which forbids advocating the use of illegal drugs.
What do you think the Court decided? Check out the arguments for both sides by clicking on this link: http://www.uscourts.gov/outreach/topics/firstamendment/speech/talkingpointsMvF.html
Discuss with your group, and come to a decision for or against Frederick, explain your answer on a word document. If there are dissenting votes, include in the document.

To find out the decision of the Supreme Court, click the following link:
http://www.uscourts.gov/outreach/topics/firstamendment/speech/morsefacts.html
On your word document include the decision made by the Supreme Court.
print off the document and hand in.

The Bill of Rights

Now that we have studied the Constitution, we will take a look at the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is made up of the first ten amendments to the Constitution. The Constitution itself does not guarantee any basic individual rights, which as you can imagine, was troublesome for a nation of people that had just fought a rebellion over basic individual rights. In order to get the needed 9 or 13 states to ratify the Constitution, James Madison, and others, promised a Bill of Rights that would protect individual freedoms. Later, after the Constitution was ratified into law, the Bill of Rights was added in its present form today.

Today's lesson will focus on 1st Amendment rights: freedom of speech; press; religion; assembly; and petition.

Try playing some matching games to see what you know about the Bill of Rights!
http://www.quia.com/jg/1845606.html

Constitution Test: Click here

Today we will take a test over the U.S. Constitution. Click on the title of this blog, enter username and password. The secret word is patriot. If you wish to have the test read to you, use the headphones and simply click on "audio" for each of the questions. Remember, once you start the test, you may not leave the site until finished. When finished, return your computer, and work on something from another class, or read a book.
Good Luck!!

Prepare for test on Tuesday

Write down the words and terms on the board today. Everything on the board will appear on the test. The test will be multiple choice, plus you will need to write the Preamble to the Constitution, or at least be able to list the 6 principles of government found in the Preamble. Your time in class, today, should be spent on the formative assessments.

Read the following link: http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/01/23/greene.haiti.american.aid/index.html

Federalism:Click here for notes

Today we are studying federalism. Federalism is the sharing of power between the National Government and the state governments. To see notes on federalism click on the blog title!

Because we missed school on Wednesday, and today is a short class due to delay, the test will now be on Monday. To prepare, you should go over notes from class, complete the formative assessment activities, and memorize the Preamble to the Constitution- or at least the 6 principles of government found in the Preamble.

The Electoral College

Today we will take a look at the Electoral College, and spend some time reviewing for the test. Use the formative assessments to prepare. Remember, you must enter your username and password to get credit for the activities. For those of you who do not yet know the Preamble to the Constitution, listening to the school house rock Preamble video would be time well spent. Also, keep in mind, if you cannot remember the preamble, you need to at least be able to list the six principles of the Constitution found in the Preamble:
1) We the people
2) Establish justice
3) Ensure domestic tranquility
4) Provide for the common defence
5) Promote the general welfare
6) Secure the blessings of liberty, to ourselves and our posterity (future generations)