Cornell Notes due Monday, Nov. 8. “Rights” worksheet due Tuesday, Nov. 9. First Amendment Quiz on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Essay #5 due Wednesday, Nov. 10. Reminder: No school Thursday, Nov. 11. Schedule of due dates

Reminder: Write NPD on every page of Cornell Notes. Pages with no name will be thrown away. Cornell Notes summaries must be written in full sentences. Summaries must contain at least three sentences. Reminders

This week’s Words of the Day An Amendment – noun a change, correction, addition, or improvement A Grievance - noun a formal complaint To Redress - verb to fix something (law) to make it fair To Abridge - verb to cut short something These words will be on the Nov. 10 quiz. These words will be included with other WODs and may appear on any vocabulary test.

Think of the one word that best defines what it means to be an American. In one word …

What does it mean to be free? Freedom to? ….. to do what? Freedom from? …. from what? Watch the following commercials. See if you can name some.

What does it mean to be free? Do you know any of the rules (laws) that guarantee your freedom as an American citizen?

The rights everyone knows by heart The Fifth Amendment, which protects you from self-incrimination, is often called the Miranda Warning. It’s the warning that police explain to suspects. It means you can’t be forced to give information to police that can be used to convict you of a crime. Can you recite the Miranda Warning?

The rights everyone knows by heart You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense.

The MOST important amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the First Amendment. Know Your Rights!

The First Amendment

What is the First Amendment? What are the five freedoms that are covered by the First Amendment? What are the names of the characters on The Simpsons?

Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie

A 2006 survey showed that more Americans can name The Simpsons characters than the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Discussion Why do you think more Americans can name the characters on a TV cartoon than can name the five basic freedoms? Why might it be easier to remember facts about pop culture than facts about history?

The First Amendment: The 45 words that protect us all 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.

It’s sad to note that when it comes to the First Amendment, most Americans don't know their rights from their wrongs! According to a 2006 survey, only one in 1,000 Americans (that’s about the population of CRMS) can list all five freedoms protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Just in case you're one of those 999 people who can't, the rights are: freedom of religion freedom of speech freedom of the press freedom of assembly freedom to petition for redress of grievances.

GRASP your Freedoms … “ G ” freedom to petition for redress of grievances “ R ” freedom of religion “ A ” freedom to assemble “ S ” freedom of speech “ P ” freedom of the press An Acronym To Make The 5 Freedoms Easy to Remember

Only one in seven Americans could name one of the five First Amendment freedoms, and only one in five people could name two, according to the survey. Although Americans failed the First Amendment quiz, they passed the Bart Simpson section of the survey with flying colors. Chinese Proverb: Teachers open the doors, but you must enter by yourself.

More than half of the respondents could name at least two of the main characters of The Simpsons. Twenty-two percent could name all five of the main characters of The Simpsons.

Those findings made Gene Policinski, executive director of the First Amendment Center, want to eat his shorts (as Bart Simpson would say). "These are such basic freedoms, and they're in our lives every day," he said. "All we have to do is look around."

No matter how old you are or what state you live in, you exercise First Amendment freedoms every day. Can you think of some examples?

 When you turn on the television, you can choose the show you want to watch.  If you disagree with a law, you can write a letter to your state representative.  If you don't like something the government is doing, you can say so without getting in trouble.

What was the reason for the First Amendment? The nation's founders wanted to ensure that Americans were free to live their lives as they wanted to so they ratified (approved) the Bill of Rights in 1791.

What was the reason for the First Amendment? The founders wanted Americans to have control over their daily lives and a say in how their government is run so they passed the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights contains the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. Since 1791, the U.S. has added only 17 more for a total of 27 amendments.

The reason the founders included this freedom: 1. Freedom of religion The Colonists came to America in search of religious freedom. They wanted to worship without fear of punishment. The nation's founders included this clause to make sure Congress could not establish a national religion nor stop people from practicing their chosen religion.

Freedom of Religion The First Amendment prohibits government from establishing a religion and protects each person's right to practice (or not practice) any faith without government interference.

The reason the founders included this freedom: 2. Freedom of speech The Colonists' rocky relationship with Great Britain made them determined to prevent their new government from abusing its power. This clause ensures that the government can't stop people from saying almost anything they want to say--even if it's unpopular or critical of the president.

Free speech The First Amendment says that people have the right to speak freely without government interference. There are limits, though. You may not yell “Fire!” in a crowded movie theatre.

The reason the founders included this freedom: 3. Freedom of the Press The nation's founders feared that if the government controlled the nation's newspapers, it could violate the Constitution without anyone finding out. This clause allows U.S. newspapers, magazines, and other media to report on whatever they want, as long as they don't print false information or invade people's privacy.

Freedom of the Press The First Amendment gives the press the right to publish news, information and opinions without government interference. This also means people have the right to publish their own newspapers, newsletters, magazines, etc. The press MUST print information that is true. The First Amendment does not give the press the right to print lies.

The reason the founders included this freedom: 4. Freedom of assembly Majority may rule in the United States, but the nation's founders wanted to make sure minority voices were still heard. This clause gives Americans the right to protest or parade publicly in support of any cause--no matter how controversial--as long as they do it peacefully.

Freedom To Peaceably Assemble The First Amendment says that people have the right to gather in public to march, protest, demonstrate, carry signs, and otherwise express their views in a nonviolent way. It also means people can join and associate with groups and organizations without interference. People DO NOT have the freedom to assemble to plan a riot or a crime.

The reason the founders included this freedom: 5. Freedom to petition the government for a redress of grievances The Colonists started the American Revolution ( ) because they had little voice in Great Britain's government. This clause requires that the government listen to what citizens have to say, whether it be through letter writing or lawsuits.

Petition about grievances The First Amendment says that people have the right to appeal to government in favor of or against policies that affect them or that they feel strongly about. This freedom includes the right to gather signatures in support of a cause and to lobby legislative bodies for or against legislation.

The First Amendment does not give people the right to say or do whatever they want. There have been many court cases involving the First Amendment. The courts have decided in some cases to set limits to our First Amendment rights.

For example: ● The First Amendment does not give a person the right to use language that causes others to act violently and puts people in danger. ● The First Amendment does not give a person the right to yell “fire!” in a crowded movie theater. ● The First Amendment does not give a person the right to remove a book from a library just because he or she doesn’t like the ideas in the book.

Read the following situations. Use your knowledge of the First Amendment to answer the questions. 1. You join a group of students protesting against an increase in library fines. Does the First Amendment give you the right to do this? If yes, which freedom(s) are you using?

2. Does the government have the right to tell you what religion you should follow? Why or why not?

You and your friends disagree about the war in Iraq. Does the First Amendment give you and your friends the right to express different views? If yes, which freedom(s) are you using?

4. You write a letter to the Citrus County Chronicle expressing your views about a school issue. Does the First Amendment protect your right to do this? Why or why not?

5. During a protest at a local city park, a speaker tells the crowd to tear down the park fences. He is arrested. Are his actions protected by the First Amendment? Why or why not?

Can you think of a type of speech that should not be protected by the First Amendment? Explain your answer.

Of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment, which is the most important to you? Explain. Be sure to complete a planning web. Be sure to complete a checklist. Essay #5 is due Friday.