The First Amendment
Educator resources
Historical events
Learn why the First Amendment’s five rights and freedoms are so vital to American democracy. Through case studies, weigh in on Supreme Court decisions in which these protections were challenged.
Learning objectives
- I can name the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment.
- I can explore and analyze six landmark First Amendment cases, judge them myself and defend or criticize the Supreme Court’s decision in each.
Essential questions
- What five freedoms are protected by the First Amendment?
- How do the five freedoms work together to strengthen American democracy?
- In what ways are the freedoms dependent on one another?
- How do they support, protect and enhance each other?
- What court cases have been most influential in shaping press protections and individuals’ rights to free expression under the First Amendment?
