Teaching with Current Events
We have various resources to help you incorporate current events into the classroom in a way that helps your students understand the importance of the Constitution on their daily lives. This section of our site is brought to you in partnership with the National Constitution Center – you can find these resources on their blog, Constitution Daily.
Daily Headlines:
Read breaking news related to the Bill of Rights, gathered by Institute staff every school day, from reputable news sources across the country. Our news stories are chosen with young people in mind and on the basis of ease of use in the classroom, clarity of the constitutional issue, and neutral presentation. Most-clicked headlines are below, and you can find more stories grouped by constitutional principle on the menu to the left.
Supreme Court to Consider Cert Grant in Case of Officers Who Tasered a Pregnant Woman
Date: 5/16/12
Source: ABA Journal
Arizona’s high court issues stay of execution
Date: 5/16/12
Source: Tucson Citizen
Man Loses $22,000 In New ‘Policing For Profit’ Case
Date: 5/15/12
Source: News Channel 5
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Supreme Court Wrap-Up eLesson
As the Court winds down its 2011-2012 term, several key cases are still pending. Use the following resources and discussion questions to analyze the issues and discuss how you and your students believe the Court should rule under the Constitution. Continue reading the Supreme Court Wrap-Up eLesson.
Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine Laws eLesson
Media coverage of the Trayvon Martin case has brought “Stand-Your-Ground” laws to the attention of many throughout the country. Some have speculated that George Zimmerman, charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of Martin, may cite Florida’s “Stand-Your-Ground” law in his defense. Florida’s “Stand-Your-Ground” law was passed in 2005. The law allows those who feel a reasonable threat of death or bodily injury to “meet force with force” rather than retreat. Similar “Castle Doctrine” laws assert that a person does not need to retreat if their home is attacked. Over half of the states in the United States have forms of “Stand-Your-Ground” or “Castle Laws” laws on their books, and more states are considering adding these laws. What constitutional protections and issues are related to these laws? Continue reading the Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine eLesson.
Health Care and the Supreme Court:
This week the Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in the Department of Health and Human Services v. State of Florida, et. al. (2012) case. The case will decide the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act of 2010. The justices will hear arguments about several portions of the law including whether the Court has jurisdiction in the case, whether Congress has the power to enact a minimum health coverage provision, whether the “Individual Mandate” portion of the law is within the powers of Congress, whether the law infringes upon the principles of federalism and/or state sovereignty. Twenty-six states have challenged the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act. The Supreme Court’s decision is expected in June. Continue reading the Health Care and the Supreme Court eLesson.