First Amendment: Freedom of Speech and Press

In this session, students will work to answer:
  • What is the historical context and drafting process of the First Amendment?
  • How have different types of speech been interpreted by the Constitution?
  • What types of speech can be limited?
  • What are areas of consensus among scholars, judges, and citizens?
  • How has the Supreme Court ruled on free speech rights throughout history?

For Friday's session, writer David French joins National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen. David French is a senior editor for The Dispatch, where he also co-hosts the weekly podcast Advisory Opinions. He is a columnist for Time and a senior fellow at the National Review Institute. French is the author or co-author of several books, including his most recent book Divided We Fall.
Part lecture and part lively conversation, these classes are open to the public so that students, teachers, and parents can join in a constitutional discussion with the Center's scholars.
Throughout the month of February, we will explore First Amendment rights and civil liberties, with a focus on how African Americans have used these fundamental rights to change the Constitution.
First Amendment: Freedom of Speech and Press
Monday, February 1, and Wednesday, February 3
Friday, February 5, with David French

Explore resources for Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press.
First Amendment: Religion Clauses
Monday, February 8 and Wednesday, February 10
Friday, February 12, with Kurt Lash

Explore resources for the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause.
First Amendment: Assembly and Petition
Note: There will be no Monday class this week.
Wednesday, February 17
Friday, February 19

Explore resources for the session here.
Civil Liberties Overview
Monday, February 22, and Wednesday, February 24
Friday, February 26

Explore resources for the session here.
Live classes are offered the entire school year with new topics WEEKLY! Review the full 2020-2021 school year schedule HERE.
All sessions are also recorded, streamed live on YouTube, and posted on our website. Need the corresponding resources for each session? Find resource briefs and slides for each topic here.
Book the time that works for your class to engage!
Available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, these sessions include your class, a scholar, and a moderator—and are available on any Scholar Exchange topic.
Led by student voice and moderated by scholars, judges, and teacher facilitators, students across the nation are connected for virtual discussions about the Constitution. Register your class to receive both content-driven and civil dialogue lesson plans.
Join teachers from across the country and engage with ideologically diverse constitutional scholars and master teachers for a weeklong Summer Teacher Institute or our new three-day Summer Teacher Workshop in July 2021.

Wednesday, July 7 – Friday, July 9, 2021
Constitutional Conversations and Civil Dialogue
Why is civil dialogue important? How was it used during the arguments around the U.S. Constitution? What are meaningful ways to incorporate this type of discussion into your curriculum?

Sunday, July 11 – Friday, July 16, 2021
Building the U.S. Constitution
What rights make up the structure of the U.S. Constitution? How do the articles define rights and responsibilities at the core of the government? How have these rights changed throughout history?

Sunday, July 18 – Friday, July 23, 2021
Battles for Freedom and Equality
What has the struggle for freedom and equality looked like throughout history? Where are constitutional protections of these rights? What movements have defined this struggle?

Monday, July 26 – Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Available exclusively for members of the Center's Teacher Advisory Council
The Bill of Rights
What were some of the influences on the shaping of the Bill of Rights? Why are those specific rights included in the Bill of Rights? How have the Bill of Rights changed since the founding?

There is no cost to attend a summer program, but interested educators must complete a successful application. Application deadlines have been extended to Friday, February 26, 2021.
Join Us for Constitutional Conversations: Building the Foundations for Dialogue and Deliberation in the Classroom
Join us each Wednesday evening in February from 6:30 – 8 p.m. ET for this free virtual workshop series presented by the National Constitution Center and hosted by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. Deepen your constitutional knowledge and enhance your strategies for fostering civil dialogue around constitutional questions.

  • Join an opening session that introduces the framework for creating space for constitutional conversations, debates, and deliberations in the classroom
  • Discover historical content through virtual tours of both the National Constitution Center's and the Gerald Ford Museum's exhibits
  • Participate in modeled classroom activities using online resources, including the Interactive Constitution
  • Receive lesson plans and other classroom-ready educational materials
  • Develop and practice skills necessary to facilitate civil dialogue for all learners
  • Apply learned information and share resources while participating in a constitutional conversation with colleagues in the final session
  • Michigan educators can apply to earn six SCECHs

Please note, this is a sequential series. Attendees are encouraged to participate in all four sessions; however, we understand there may be schedule conflicts. Please register for all of the sessions you plan to attend.  
The National Constitution Center is updating its popular Civic Calendar to align with the academic year! The 2021-2022 calendar—exploring the Structural Constitution—is coming this August!

Now, teachers and students will be able to study the Structural Constitution throughout the school year—exploring topics like the role and responsibilities of each branch of government, how powers are separated among the branches, federalism, and more.

In addition to historic birthdays, anniversaries, and constitutional trivia, the calendar will also include the latest information on the Center’s 2021-2022 programs to help you plan your full year of constitutional learning. 

Anyone who already registered to receive the 2021 Civic Calendar will automatically be sent a copy this summer when the 2021-2022 calendar is released!
The National Constitution Center's education team is here to help with any of our online resources. Email [email protected] with questions or comments on how we can help you and your students with your remote learning needs.
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