The First Amendment Academy is a hub for quick, engaging quizzes that test middle school and high school students’ knowledge with real-world scenarios, interactive activities and thought-provoking questions that make learning these five fundamental freedoms fun, fast and relevant.
Civic Online Reasoning Curriculum
Students are confused about how to evaluate online information. We all are. The Civic Online Reasoning curriculum provides free lessons and assessments that help you teach students to evaluate online information that affects them, their communities, and the world.
Sons of Liberty: Patriots and Terrorists
In this lesson, students engage in dialogue regarding the Sons of Liberty. Students will identify, explain and analyze arguments that the Sons of Liberty were both patriots and terrorists. The goal being to understand and reflect on perspectives. Students will understand historical narratives, while considering their own perspective.
Climate Change Video Handout
This handout can be used as part of our Preparing for Environmental Pathways lesson or as an independent activity in your classroom. Students will watch the video linked within and answer questions to deepen their understanding of the climate crisis.
Preparing for Pathways to Environmental Justice
Combatting the climate crisis and creating clean energy solutions go hand in hand. The Edward M. Kennedy Institute’s Environmental Pathways program challenges students to consider a path to environmental justice that will work for America’s future.
Technology Policy Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will take part in a jig-saw style activity where they will research a policy related to data privacy, artificial intelligence, or social media, gain a deep understanding of that policy, present it to the rest of the class, and complete a short debrief.
Class Discussion: Manufacturing and International Relations
In this lesson students will learn about the Chips and Science Act, a bill designed to improve semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. Students will watch a short introductory video, read speeches in favor and against the legislation, and then have their own discussion and vote on whether the bill should pass.
Election Reform: Debate and Discussion
In this lesson students will read a pro and con speech about real voting rights legislation (the Freedom to Vote Act) being discussed in the United States Senate. Students will summarize the speeches, consider their arguments, and use them to enhance their own knowledge on election policy.
Debate and Discussion: Climate and Energy Policy
In this lesson students will examine a pro and con speech about real legislation (the Green New Deal) being discussed in the United States Senate. Students will summarize the speeches, consider their arguments, and use them to enhance their own knowledge of environmental policy.
Should the United States Ban TikTok to Preserve National Security?
In this mini simulation, students step into the shoes of the National Security Council to decide if the United States should impose a ban on TikTok to safeguard citizens’ data and the country’s security. Students will learn about the ways that private businesses can intersect with national security and the opportunities and limitations for government regulation of digital technologies.