Classroom activities to help children learn about and celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of the United States Constitution are described, including making up a class constitution, teaching about becoming a United States citizen, and researching details of a specific state's ratification of the Constitution. (CB)

The text of a speech made by the Staff Director and Director of Education of the U.S. Bicentennial Commission, the paper presents an overview of the Commission's plans for the 1991 celebration of the Bicentennial of the Bill of Rights. "The Bill of Rights and Beyond," the theme of the celebration, conveys the idea that although the 200th…

More than 200 years after its founding, the U.S. government continues to thrive on argument, dispute, and debate. For citizens to be fully engaged in the political process, they must continue to participate in the tradition of public discourse exemplified by the ratification debate of 1787-88. College-Community Forums are designed to further…

Provides a list of 23 activities which demonstrate how constitutional issues and law are manifested in current events. Maintains that the activities help students gain a working knowledge of the U.S. Constitution in addition to seeing it as a relevant, living document which inspires critical and creative thinking. (JDH)

This reference volume provides information on gun control and gun rights, including resources on the debate surrounding the Second Amendment and individuals and organizations focused on gun issues, along with statutes, court cases, events, and publications surrounding this current topic. Highlighted are the important organizations and their…

Focusing on current topics germane to law-related education (LRE), this guide features ten LRE lessons. As part of a series of lesson plans compiled by Phi Alpha Delta, this collection presents a lesson plan on current issues for each month of the school year. Intended for high school and middle school with adaptations for elementary school, the…

Traces the application of the constitutional protection from "unreasonable searches and seizures" as it has evolved in response to public attitudes and changes in technology. Includes a synopsis of relevant cases and two lesson plans. The cases concern a police search through trash bags and drug testing for athletes. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan that compares freedom of the press in the United States and other countries. Reveals the extent to which the First Amendment protects press freedom from abuses found in other countries. Includes a world map illustrating areas enjoying freedom of the press, and related statistical tables. (MJP)

Elucidates the inherent conflict between national security and public safety measures necessitated by terrorism and the Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure. Briefly discusses the rise in terrorist activity in the 1970s and the development of airline security. Identifies several areas where personal freedom has been…