Overview This project integrates knowledge of the First Amendment with students’ favorite form of entertainment: music. Students will critically analyze song lyrics and themes, connecting them to First Amendment rights. They will work in groups to create an “album” that teaches others about freedom of speech, press, religion, petition, and assembly, demonstrating their comprehension through…

The New York Times offers engaging, adaptable strategies to help educators explore the 2024 election with their students in meaningful ways, just in time for Constitution Day activities. The guide features 12 diverse teaching methods, encouraging students to reflect on their identities, understand the Electoral College, monitor misinformation, and follow political news. It also includes…

Overview This lesson explores the implications of artificial intelligence on the First Amendment, focusing on freedom of speech and the press. With AI technologies evolving rapidly, students will critically analyze how AI might influence public discourse, truth and accountability. Students will also explore the potential legal ramifications of AI-generated content and the challenges it poses…

To appreciate our freedom of speech and freedom of expression, travel abroad. Unfortunately, there are those in this country who think freedoms of expression need to be controlled, especially when they are extolled by students.  When we recently visited Macao our tour guide pointed to a group handing out information about their religious beliefs. The…

Emma’s story Part 1 of 4 My original blog idea started as a simple little suggestion to encourage high school student journalists to cover school board meetings and educational topics in communities without commercial media – those rural and urban areas considered news deserts. But it’s grown much bigger than that. These will be the…

May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. A day to celebrate press freedom. On her Facebook post May 3, colleague Barb Hipsman Springer wrote, “as journalism goes, so goes democracy. Remember that freedoms carry responsibility for you, too.” Noble words and commitments. Such statements often receive forceful agreement. Cheers and applause. A raised fist. All…

Watchdog reporting can make a difference. When you think of watchdog reporting, chances are you’ll think of mainstream media – The Washington Post, New York Times, NPR, etc.  Don’t however, look past non-profit organizations dedicated to enhancing transparency in government. The BGA staff includes a number of outstanding and award-winning journalists who do more than…