This is the third lesson of twelve in a year-long unit exploring the history of the US Constitution in 11th grade US History. This lesson on religion is an in-depth exploration of the free exercise and establishment clauses of the first amendment. This lesson was taught during the first curricular unit which focuses on the foundation of US History (colonization to Civil War).
History Social Science
11.3 Students analyze the role religion played in the founding of America, its lasting moral, social, and political impacts, and issues regarding religious liberty.
5. Describe the principles of religious liberty found in the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment, including the debate on the issue of separation of church and state.
Key Ideas and Details:
1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to important distinctions the author makes and to any gaps or inconsistencies in the account.
2. Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; summarize complex concepts, processes, or information presented in a text by paraphrasing them in simpler but still accurate terms.
3. Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
7. Evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in a science or technical text, verifying the data when possible and corroborating or challenging conclusions with other sources of information.
Higher Order Thinking Questions:
1. Evaluate recent Supreme Court decisions regarding religion. Do you agree or disagree with the court’s findings? (Evaluate)
2. Is reciting the pledge of allegiance a violation of a person’s religious liberty? (Application)
Students will be evaluated through informal checks for understanding, teacher observation, and written performance on the amicus curiae brief.
Teacher asks students following questions one at a time:
Teacher asks students to respond to questions on paper and then discuss with a partner. Teacher calls on students to answer and takes a quick survey (thumbs up/down) on questions #2 and #3.
Teacher passes out "Settlement Reached in Lawsuit Concerning Rights of Baptized Sikh Students to Wear Symbolic Ceremonial Knives to School Thursday, June 12, 1997"
Teacher asks students to think about and respond to the following questions:
Students respond to questions on their paper and when called on by teacher.
|Teacher will ask the students what rights are protected in the first amendment. Teacher will review the first amendment protections (speech, assembly, press, petition and religion).
Teacher will review the historical context of the Freedom of Religion from colonization to the beliefs of the founding fathers (Madison, Jefferson, and Henry.)
Teacher asks students if debate on religious freedom still relevant today.
Teacher asks students to consider the following questions:
Teacher surveys class (thumbs up/down or through online polling system) on the following question:
Teacher reviews the two clauses of freedom of religion:
Establishment Clause: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
Free Exercise Clause: "…or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Teacher asks students
Teacher provides example of violations of each clause: establishment clause – teacher leads prayer during class time; exercise clause – students banned from praying at school.
Teacher passes out "You Be The Judge" and assigns the students to work in groups of 3-4 to complete. Teacher walks around assisting students as they complete the matrix.
Teacher calls on groups share their responses for each case and teacher reveals the "answers" based on the Supreme Court decisions.
Students will answer "what rights do citizens have under the first amendment?"
Teacher passes out last case, "To Pledge, or Not To Pledge." Students are asked to read the case.
Teacher explains that they are going to be acting as attorneys for the Religious Liberty Foundation. It is an organization established to ensure that our religious freedoms are protected. They have been asked to represent the Foundation and write an amicus curiae brief to the US Supreme Court who has just agreed to hear this case.
Teacher explains that an amicus curiae brief is written by a person or an organization that is not directly affiliated with a case but has an interest in the case. The brief is intended to convince the court to rule in favor of one party or the other. The students will research the case and prepare a written response to the question:
Teacher passes out guidelines for preparing brief and reviews with students.
Students read and annotate case as they read.
Special Needs of students are considered in this lesson:
Materials and Resources:
Outline of Unit Plan:
Unit Title: Re-writing the Constitution for the 21st Century – A Year Long Examination of the United States Constitution, its Foundation and Interpretation Over Time.