The First Amendment might be the most significant amendment found in the U.S. Constitution. But do your students understand it?
This BRI staff-curated First Amendment playlist is a collection of all our First Amendment Resources from our website. It contains multiple YouTube videos and short lessons on freedom of speech, petition, and the media.
Help your students become First Amendment experts and see all the connections around them to that amendment by using BRI's resources.
Our Homework Help videos are designed for educators who need warm-up or review videos. They average six minutes and length and communicate key concepts to students.
This month, we’re highlighting our Bill of Rights Playlist on YouTube. It contains five videos that break down the First Amendment, a video entitled "Origins and Purposes of the Bill of Rights" and a video on amendments two through five. Videos for the rest of the Bill of Rights will be added in the near future.
Use these videos to help your students solidify their understanding of the Bill of Rights!
Our new Think The Vote question examines the right to a "healthy environment." A group of Montana residents recently sued their state government for allegedly violating the state constitution, which guarantees a resident’s right to a “clean and healthful environment.” A judge in the state ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, opening the possibility that residents in other states may take the same action.
So can individuals sue state governments for using fossil fuels? Students can share their thoughts on this Think The Vote question until Wednesday, Oct. 25.
The topic of religious liberty continues to be debated nationwide. Did you know the Bill of Rights Institute has an entire curriculum devoted to this subject? Our Religious Liberty: An American Experiment resource
includes eight lessons the share the history and significance of religious liberty in America and how it’s interpretation has continued to evolve and sharpen through Supreme Court’s interpretation since the ratification of the Constitution. Build your students understanding of this important American freedom this year using our classroom-ready resource!
We are now accepting applications for the Bill of Rights Institute 2023-24 Student Fellowship program
! This is open to students who are 15-18 years of age and are high school juniors or seniors (or equivalent). The Student Fellowship offers robust programming throughout the school year. This includes meeting as a group twice a month and it culminates with a trip to the Washington, D.C. area.
The 90-minute, twice-monthly group meetings include a short reading, discussion, and writing assignment on topics such as why having a civil society is important in America. Visit this page for more information. Thank you for sharing this opportunity with your students!
The Expansion of Expression unit in our Supreme Court Document-Based Questions (DBQs) resource helps you explore this question with your students.
Each lesson contains four activities for your students to learn more about the First Amendment’s role in these landmark Supreme Court cases. Start the conversation today with our ready to use lessons.
BOE: Bottom of Email
Dear John,
Happy October! As the year draws to a close, our staff excitement grows at BRI! Every year, we look forward to the annual National Council for the Social Studies conference held in December. This year’s event will take place from Dec. 1-3 in Nashville, Tenn. It is always a highlight of our year to connect with educators face-to-face, share our resources, and learn about the field of civics.
We will be hosting multiple sessions, exhibiting in the exhibit hall, and hosting a number of events throughout the week.
We hope to see you there!
Warmly,
Laura Vlk
Director, Educator Engagement
Bill of Rights Institute
