Home / First Amendment Teacher Resources / Virtual Field Trips
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Angela, Homeschoolers of Maine
Lindsey, 6th & 7th Grade Teacher
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"Wow. Thanks. Several kids said that Thursday’s class was the best of the year, so I am both beholden to and angry at y’all. Max, your devil’s advocate posturing made kids not only laugh but try to support their assertions about the need for stricter adherence to the 1st amendment because of the need for public safety. Unfortunately, no one could support those assertions. The doozy was the 11th minute question that Max said was better left to a philosophy class: “Can laws be objective so that they benefit everyone [rather than a few]?”
Hendrick, High School English Teacher
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(Grades 2 – 12) Students are introduced to the general principles, history, and facts of the federal Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment (religion, speech, press, assembly, petition).
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(Grades 2 – 12) Participants discuss and analyze the history, role, status, and nuances of the First Amendment in Maine and compare the Maine Constitution with the federal Constitution. Students learn about federalism, activism, religion, their rights, and more in their home state. (Note: if you are interested in this virtual field trip for a state other than the state of Maine, please contact the First Amendment Museum and we can tailor this virtual field trip to your state.)
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(Grades 2 – 12) This virtual field trip explores the life and ideas of the author of the United States Constitution, and fourth president, James Madison. It is excellent for history students interested in learning about the early American Republic, the Founding Fathers, and the context of the federal Constitution.
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(Grades 2 – 12) The First Amendment is silent on the issues of listening and civility, two crucial topics concerning responsible citizenship. This virtual field trip explores these two topics and what place they have in modern civic engagement.
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(Grades 3 – 12) Students learn about the history and current status of religious freedom in the United States as well as ponder some of the many unresolved questions associated with it. Students are encouraged to open up, share, and discuss these questions in an honest, yet mature, way.
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(Grades 3 – 12) “Free speech” is always a hot topic. It’s also an extremely relevant one, especially for young people. This virtual field trip explores the issues, controversies, and limits around speech in the United States. Students will utilize their own freedom of speech to share ideas and opinions.
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(Grades 3 – 12) This virtual field trip is the perfect opportunity for students to learn and practice media literacy. It covers topics such as the history of the press in America, how to identify fake news, concerns surrounding social media, good vs. bad journalism, how to utilize the press responsibly, and more.
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(Grades 3 – 12) With the massive social movements sweeping the nation, as well as the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, getting together has never been more complex and controversial. In this virtual field trip, students explore the nuances and controversies surrounding the freedom of assembly.
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(Grades 3 – 12) Petitions are everywhere these days. With the simple click of a button, anyone can sign a petition. But how effective are they? This virtual field trip provides the opportunity for students to analyze how petitions work, their efficacy, and the evolving role of petitions in the United States today.
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(Grades 4 – 12) The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and it plays an essential part in shaping and interpreting what the five freedoms mean for everyday Americans. In this virtual field trip, students learn how the Supreme Court operates, some of the most important First Amendment Supreme Court cases, why it matters who sits on the Court, and more.
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(Grades 5 – 12) This virtual field trip provides an overview of what makes the First Amendment so complex and contentious. Students will deliberate on many of these controversies amongst themselves with the guidance of their educators and First Amendment Museum staff. The end result will be a more nuanced understanding among students of what’s at stake regarding their freedoms.
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(Grades 5 – 12) In this virtual field trip, geared towards English classes, but available to any class or subject, students learn the who, what, when, where, how, and why of censorship in America. “How can a country devoted to free expression also have censorship?” “Does censorship apply to the government only or private companies as well?” Questions such as these and more are explored.
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(Grades 6 – 12) Countries around the world, including the United States, have all addressed the problem of hate speech differently. In this virtual field trip, students learn about the pros and cons of many of these strategies and are then tasked with coming up with their own solution on how best to approach hate speech in the United States.
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(Grades 6 – 12) The rise of social media has brought about unprecedented challenges concerning the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment. In this internet-oriented virtual field trip, students learn about the many issues, opportunities, and impacts that social media and the internet at large have had on the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
We require educators schedule a meeting with FAM staff at least three weeks before the virtual field trip to discuss content, length, and supplementary offerings.
Call to schedule your virtual field trip today at (207) 557-2290 or email connect@firstamendmentmuseum.org.
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connect@firstamendmentmuseum.org
(207) 557-2290