Definition

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The First Amendment is the cornerstone of Americans’ civil liberties, guaranteeing us freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Example

Questions

1. How many rights are protected in The First Amendment?

2. What do you think The First Amendment is about?

3. What does The First Amendment look like as an emoji (or what do the five rights of the First Amendment look like emojified)?

4. Use The First Amendment in a sentence of your own design.

5. What is the first right protected in The First Amendment?

6. Why do you think the Framers were so quick to protect these First Amendment rights?

7. Which First Amendment rights most directly impacts you?

8. If you had to rank the 10 amendments of the Bill of Rights from most to least important, where would The First Amendment rank?

9. How would the U.S. be different without The First Amendment?

10. Identify the most important First Amendment cases you have studied this year.

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw The Fourth Amendment! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review!