The U.S. Constitution’s
First Amendment:
Keep It Strong!
Fourth Grade
First Amendment
Coloring/Activity Book
Made possible by the
McCormick Tribune Foundation
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©2006 Illinois First Amendment Center.
Recipient acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the following terms: The Illinois
First Amendment Center (IFAC) has developed this coloring book for use in the
elementary grades and other educational settings. Recipient (“Licensee”) acknowledges
that the IFAC owns the copyright to this coloring book. In consideration for Licensee’s
use of this coloring book in classrooms or other educational setting, the IFAC, as
licensor, agrees to grand Licensee a non-exclusive license to the coloring book for
the following uses, and only the following uses: To reproduce the coloring book in
copies, the number of copies not to exceed the number of Licensee’s students enrolled
in Licensee’s classes at any point in time; to distribute copies of the coloring book to
students enrolled in Licensee’s classes; and to display the coloring book or any parts
thereof in Licensee’s classroom(s) and on adjacent displays, including hallways and
bulletin boards. In consideration for receipt of this coloring book and the granting of the
aforementioned license, Licensee agrees to the terms of said license, including the uses
of the coloring book. Licensee acknowledges that any other use of the coloring book is
prohibited under this license without prior approval of the IFAC. Any commercial use
of this product is expressly prohibited, and any effort to distribute for a commercial
purpose or gain is likewise expressly prohibited. Unauthorized use of this coloring book
may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and damages under the Copyright Act
of 1976, 17 United States Code Section 101 et seq.
Page 1
This coloring book was created
in collaboration with the
following Williamsville
C.U.S.D. #15 teachers...
Rashel Bayless
Angela Chamness
Joyce Cooper
Kelly Groth
Amy Haugh
Laura Kennedy
Julie Kittilstad
Bev LaFrance
Janis Lindsey
Peggy Lipe
Karin McCarthy
Janet McLay
Jennifer Meister
Pam Shanle
Barbara Sullivan
Donna Wade
Melissa Willing
www.illinoisfirstamendmentcenter.com
How the First Amendment
Came About
Hi Kids! My name is Uno, and this is my dog, Freedom. I named my dog
“Freedom” after the FIVE FREEDOMS contained in the First Amendment of
the U.S. Constitution.
We are going to learn all about the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment and the
“Five Freedoms” it guarantees all Americans. But first we have to learn how the
First Amendment came about.
The U.S. Constitution
Our country is governed by a document called the Constitution. The United
States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. It was created by the
“framers” or “founding fathers” of our country. When the Constitution was
ratified, or approved, in 1787, it did not contain a guarantee of individual rights.
There were many who opposed ratification of the Constitution because they felt
these individual rights needed to be enumerated, or listed, in the document that
would form our American way of life.
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Those who opposed ratification were called the Anti-Federalists. Those who did
not oppose ratification were called the Federalists. The Federalists felt that
listing the individual rights was not necessary. They favored approval of the
Constitution as it was originally written.
Bill of Rights
After much debate, the Bill of Rights was adopted. To be adopted, the Bill of
Rights needed to be ratified by a majority of the states at that time. On
December 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights went into effect after ratification by the
state of Virginia.
The Bill of Rights contains the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
This booklet covers the first of those ten, commonly called the First
Amendment, or Amendment One.
The Illinois First Amendment Center
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The First Amendment
The First Amendment consists of 45 words and guarantees
five individual freedoms to all Americans. Those freedoms are
bolded below:
“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.”
Color
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www.illinoisfirstamendmentcenter.com
Freedom of Religion
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees religious freedom
to all Americans. Freedom of religion means that your family may choose how
you practice your faith, which religion you follow, and which church, synagogue,
temple, or mosque to attend.
Because of the First Amendment and this freedom . . .
Our American government is prevented from establishing a common religion
that we all must follow. Our government is prevented from telling us where
or how we worship.
In some countries, the people do not have religious freedom. They are told
how to believe.
•
How would you feel if the government chose your religion?
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The Illinois First Amendment Center
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Freedom of Religion Activity Page
Give an example of religious freedom. You may write, draw, or cut
out and attach examples from newspapers or magazines.
Your example might include: a religious symbol, a religious building,
a person who leads others in prayer, an article about a religious
meeting or holiday, etc.
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www.illinoisfirstamendmentcenter.com
Freedom of Speech
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of speech.
This freedom prevents our government from passing laws or doing other things
that could keep us from expressing our beliefs, thoughts and opinions.
Speech, however, does not only mean spoken words. Speech includes how we
express ourselves or express our individuality. Even our hairstyles are an
example of individual expression or “speech.”
Because of the First Amendment and this freedom . . .
We are able to express ourselves in many ways. One example of freedom of
speech in our country is our right to criticize the way our government runs our
country. Expressing our opinions in a letter to an editor is another example of
freedom of speech.
In some countries, people do not have freedom of speech. They are told what
they can and cannot say. They cannot criticize their government or express
their opinions – orally or in writing.
•
What freedoms of speech do you use?
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The Illinois First Amendment Center
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Freedom of Speech Activity Page
Give an example of freedom of speech. You may write, draw, or cut
out and attach examples from newspapers or magazines.
Your example might include expression through speech or dress or
thought. It could include someone giving a speech on TV, a political
debate, someone’s letter to the editor. Your example might be your
own letter, expressing your thoughts, to a newspaper editor.
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www.illinoisfirstamendmentcenter.com
Freedom of the Press
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of the press.
The “press” provides the news to us. Without the news, we wouldn’t know what is
going on in our town, our city, our state, our country, or around the world.
The news that comes from our newspapers is part of “the press.” The news you
watch on the television or hear on the radio is also part of “the press.” To find out
what’s happening, we can turn on the TV or radio, go on the Internet, or read the
newspaper.
Our government cannot control the way our news is reported. The press does not
have to ask our government for permission to write about things that happen in our
community, our state, or our country.
Because of the First Amendment and this freedom . . .
The American press is allowed to report ALL of the news, not just what our
government says may be reported.
In some countries, the government restricts the news that the press may report.
In those countries, the citizens might not know about things that happen in their
country or in other parts of the world.
•
What is your favorite source of the news?
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The Illinois First Amendment Center
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Freedom of the Press Activity Page
You receive your news from many different sources. Give an example
of “the press.” You may write, draw, or cut out and attach examples
of “the press.” You may want to draw your favorite source of the
news.
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www.illinoisfirstamendmentcenter.com
Freedom of Assembly
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the freedom of
assembly. This means that Americans have the right to come together and
join groups.
Because of the First Amendment and this freedom . . .
We are allowed to join many kinds of groups. You may be a part of a sports
team, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or other types of groups in or out of school. If
you did not have the freedom to assemble, you would not be able to join these
types of groups.
In some countries, people are not allowed to join groups.
•
What groups or teams are you part of now, or joined in the past?
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The Illinois First Amendment Center
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Freedom of Assembly Activity Page
Give an example of freedom of assembly. You may write, draw, or
cut out and attach examples from newspapers or magazines.
Your example might include a parade, a sports team, an all-school
assembly, or an article about a group of people, etc.
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www.illinoisfirstamendmentcenter.com
Freedom to Petition the Government
The First Amendment of the U.S.
Constitution guarantees Americans the
freedom to petition our government for
a “redress of grievances.” This means
we may ask for laws to be changed or
for changes in the way our government
is run.
Because of the First Amendment and this Freedom . . .
We may write letters to our elected officials to ask them to support something
we believe in or a change in a law that we want them to support.
In some countries, the people are not allowed to ask for change in their
government. In those countries, changes will only happen if the government
decides to make changes. Their government might even tell the people who they
must vote for in an election.
•
How would our life in America be different if we didn’t have this right?
Freedom to Petition Activity
On the lines below, write out a “petition” to ask your government or your school
for a change in a law or a rule.
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The Illinois First Amendment Center
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First Amendment Word Search
Directions:
The words in the Word List are hidden in the puzzle below.
Words may be side to side, backwards, up and down, upside down or
at an angle.
Circle each word you find.
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WORD LIST
American
Amendment
Assembly
Freedom
Petition
Press
Religion
Speech
Uno
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www.illinoisfirstamendmentcenter.com
Fill In The Blank
Directions:
Fill in the blanks with the correct answer.
1. The Constitution was signed on what date?
2. What is the name of the group of people who wrote our Constitution?
(2 words)
3. Those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution were called what?
4. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known as what? (3 words)
5. How many words are in the First Amendment?
6. How many freedoms are contained within the First Amendment?
7. Which freedom guarantees that we may join groups?
8. Which freedom guarantees our right to (respectively) express ourselves?
9. Which freedom guarantees that all of our news may be reported?
10. The Bill of Rights went into effect when which state ratified it?
The Illinois First Amendment Center
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