Reviews a series of First Amendment court cases related to school prayer and Bible reading, including the 1963 decision (Abington v. Schempp) against a Pennsylvania law requiring Bible reading and prayer recitation. Provides suggestions for teaching this case using a portion of Justice Tom C. Clark's opinion of the Supreme Court. Reproducible…

Presents Clarence Earl Gideon's petition for counsel as a primary source document to be used in social studies units on the Bill of Right's Sixth Amendment. Examines the constitutional issues of due process and right to counsel. Outlines teaching activities that develop vocabulary and analyzes Gideon v. Wainwright as a case study. (CH)

Sketches the history of U.S. child labor legislation through the 1920s and 1930s. Presents two historical documents for classroom use: a typescript of Georgia's child labor law from the early 1920s and a visit report by the Children's Bureau to a Georgia school superintendent. Suggests assignments, questions, analysis, and research. (DK)

Provides background information for two Supreme Court decisions that can be used to teach the concepts of due process and student rights. Lists vocabulary and suggests document analysis and student research activities. Includes a copy of the Goss v. Lopez decision and explains how school systems are required to provide students a minimum of due…

Introduces the censorship, and imprisonment of Jehovah's Witnesses who distributed, "The Finished Mystery," which contained antiwar statements deemed seditious during World War I. Asks students to examine a Justice Department document pertaining to the case. Helps students decide whether national security needs should override First…