Article V: The Amendment Process
Join us for our Fun Friday session tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET with Matthew Pinsker, Brian Pohanka Chair of Civil War History at Dickinson College and director of the school’s House Divided Project. Register your students for great stories and a fast paced discussion on how the amendment process outlined in Article V of the Constitution and has reshaped our nation!

Matt Pinsker is the author of two books: Abraham Lincoln (CQ Press, 2002) and Lincoln's Sanctuary: Abraham Lincoln and the Soldiers’ Home (Oxford University Press, 2003). His next book is Boss Lincoln: The Partisan Life of Abraham Lincoln, forthcoming from W.W. Norton & Co.
Throughout the month of February, we will explore First Amendment rights and civil liberties, with a focus on how African Americans have used these fundamental rights to change the Constitution.

Live classes are offered for the remainder of the school year with new topics added WEEKLY! Review the full 2020-2021 school year schedule for upcoming topics.
First Amendment: Freedom of Speech and Press
In this session, students will examine the historical context and the drafting of the First Amendment. Students will also examine various types of speech– including symbolic speech, hate speech, and political speech– and learn that in America, speech can only be limited by the government when it is intended to and likely to cause imminent violence.

Monday, February 1, and Wednesday, February 3

Friday, February 5

Find resources for this session here.
All sessions are also recorded, streamed live on YouTube, and posted on our website.
Available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, these sessions include your class, a scholar, and a moderator—and are available on any Scholar Exchange topic.
Led by student voice and moderated by scholars, judges, and teacher facilitators, students across the nation are connected for virtual discussions about the Constitution. Register your class to receive both content-driven and civil dialogue lesson plans.
Join teachers from across the country and engage with ideologically diverse constitutional scholars and master teachers for one of our summer professional development opportunities. Apply for a weeklong virtual Summer Teacher Institute or our new three-day virtual Summer Teacher Workshop in July 2021.

Constitutional Conversations and Civil Dialogue
Why is civil dialogue important? How was it used during the arguments around the U.S. Constitution? What are meaningful ways to incorporate this type of discussion into your curriculum?

Building the U.S. Constitution
What rights make up the structure of the U.S. Constitution? How do the articles define rights and responsibilities at the core of the government? How have these rights changed throughout history?

Battles for Freedom and Equality
What has the struggle for freedom and equality looked like throughout history? Where are constitutional protections of these rights? What movements have defined this struggle?

Available exclusively for members of the Center's Teacher Advisory Council
The Bill of Rights
What were some of the influences on the shaping of the Bill of Rights? Why are those specific rights included in the Bill of Rights? How have the Bill of Rights changed since the founding?

There is no cost to attend a summer program, but interested educators must complete a successful application by Friday, February 26, 2021.
The National Constitution Center's education team is here to help with any of our online resources. Email [email protected] with questions or comments on how we can help you and your students with your remote learning needs.
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