Resources Archive Annenberg Classroom

Leo Migdal

-Nov 24, 2025, 4:47 AM

Annenberg Classroom’s short documentary “The First Amendment: New York Times v. Sullivan” has won a Silver Award in the 4th Annual Anthem Awards. A new Annenberg Classroom film explores the history of constitutional protection against “cruel and unusual punishment” Annenberg Classroom has released a new educational film on the landmark First Amendment freedom of the press case New York Times v. Sullivan. Annenberg Classroom has released a new film exploring the history of Juneteenth and illustrating how and why freedom and citizenship were intertwined.

In advance of Constitution Day, September 17, Annenberg Classroom has released a new film on the First Amendment's freedom of speech when it comes to students in schools. Free classroom resources for teaching the Constitution. Annenberg Classroom's free resources include over 65 videos on constitutional concepts and Supreme Court cases as well as games, lesson plans, timelines, downloadable books, a glossary, and a Constitution guide. For teachers, lesson plans on Supreme Court cases, constitutional concepts, and critical thinking skills; a guide that connects resources to the Constitution's articles and amendments; and recommendations for civics resources. For students, the Annenberg Constitution Guide: What It Says, What It Means; games; Constitution-related timelines; downloadable books; and a glossary of terms. What is the story of Juneteenth?

Why do we celebrate this newly designated federal holiday, and how is it connected to one of the most cherished American ideals: freedom? This film explores the history of Juneteenth and illustrates how and why freedom and citizenship were intertwined, as well as how the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution changed and expanded the... K-12 educators, students, and lifelong learners may access Annenberg Learner resources for free at Learner.org. Many programs are also intended for students in the classroom and viewers at home, with videos that exemplify excellent teaching. Annenberg Learner also partners with impactful organizations to provide other means of achieving this goal. As part of the Annenberg Foundation, Learner supports the Foundation’s mission to encourage the development of more effective ways to share ideas and knowledge.

Resource Link: https://www.learner.org/classroom-resources/ ( Link may be down. We are checking into it. ) Search the classroom resources you need here using the filter and search bar. A new Annenberg Classroom film explores the Constitution's Commerce Clause and the balance of power between the states and the federal government. The film "The First Amendment: New York Times v.

Sullivan," on the landmark 1964 Supreme Court case, has been named a finalist for an ABA Silver Gavel Award. APPC and CHOP's Vaccine Education Center produced a video showing why it is virtually impossible for foreign DNA fragments to damage our own DNA. Sponsored by the Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics, the three-part ABA video series "Strengthening Democracy" informs military members about relevant legal topics. A new Annenberg Classroom film explores the history of constitutional protection against “cruel and unusual punishment” How do we balance power between the states and the federal government? This question has shaped American democracy since the Constitutional Convention, when delegates faced the challenge of creating a stronger federal system while preserving state authority.

This film explores the Constitution’s Commerce Clause found in Article 1, Section 8, which grants Congress the power “to regulate commerce…among the several states” and examines its historical context and ongoing impact. The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution protects against “cruel and unusual punishment” for those convicted of crimes. But what makes a punishment cruel or unusual? Who decides, and how? This film explores the concept of “evolving standards of decency,” specifically as it applies to the death penalty for juvenile offenders. This film examines freedom of the press, an essential First Amendment right, through the key Supreme Court Case New York Times v.

Sullivan. It traces the relationship of the press to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s, and the ways in which proponents of segregation tried to use libel claims via the courts to prevent coverage... What is the story of Juneteenth? Why do we celebrate this newly designated federal holiday, and how is it connected to one of the most cherished American ideals: freedom? This film explores the history of Juneteenth and illustrates how the Reconstruction Amendments to the Constitution expanded the definition of citizenship and rights for all Americans. The First Amendment’s right to free speech is one of our most important rights as citizens.

But what does freedom of speech mean for students in public schools? How do you balance a school’s need for order with a student’s right to free expression? This film explores the evolution of student free speech rights through Supreme Court cases, from Tinker v. Des Moines to Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., the case of the Snapchatting cheerleader. This discussion guide is for use with the video “Deciding Difficult Cases,” which features Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, interviewing the Hon.

Emmet G. Sullivan, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, at the Fair and Impartial Judiciary Symposium on October 26, 2019, at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Summary: Jeffrey Rosen and Judge Emmet G. Sullivan discuss the 2008 public corruption trial of longtime Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.

Stevens’ prosecution cost him reelection, and his defeat deprived the GOP of its narrow majority in the U.S. Senate at the time. Sullivan, who presided over the trial, chastised the prosecutors and the U.S. Justice Department, in general, for their mishandling of evidence and misconduct in the case. Sullivan’s role in these developments are a testament to the importance of judicial independence. The Fair and Impartial Judiciary Symposium convened lawyers, scholars, judges and thought leaders at the University of Pennsylvania Law School to address the meaning and impact of an independent judiciary.

The topics included the meaning of “fair and impartial judiciary”; the difference between state and federal courts; the challenges to judicial independence; deciding difficult cases; and the Supreme Court. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy gave the closing talk on “The Nature of Judicial Independence.” The symposium was organized by the Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Education in partnership with the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the... These primary sources follow the content and narrative structure of the Annenberg Classroom film “Korematsu and Civil Liberties. Download the handout This lesson will focus on the case Korematsu v.

U.S. in comparison with other times in U.S. history when the government was faced with the challenge of how to protect the country during war and, at the same time, protect individual freedoms. Using primary sources, students will examine five events in which U.S. citizens were forced to give up their civil liberties in times of war, highlighting the tension between liberty and security. Students will analyze these events to determine what groups were affected and the reasoning for and against the government action to decide if the government action was justified.

Students will be able to form an opinion on the essential question: Is our government ever justified in restricting civil liberties for the security of the nation? The National Archives and the Center for Civic Education partnered to create DocsTeach, a series of lesson plans that use primary sources to teach about different periods of U.S. history and the Constitution. eBooks illustrate American history and government through National Archives documents. The website contains numerous links to state and regional primary sources and presidential libraries as well as professional development for teachers.

Resources Archive Annenberg Classroom

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