Constitution in the Classroom
Bringing the First Amendment to classrooms across the country.
Americans United was proud to partner with the American Constitution Society (ACS) on the 2026 Constitution in the Classroom lesson plan!
Constitution in the Classroom is a national program led by the ACS. In this program, lawyers and law students visit elementary, middle, and high school classrooms to teach students about the U.S. Constitution. Each year, ACS publishes a new lesson plan focused on a different part of the Constitution.
The 2026 lesson plan, Separation of Church and State and the U.S. Constitution, focuses on two parts of the First Amendment: the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause. The lesson helps students understand why the Founders prioritized keeping religion and government separate. It also discusses how these two parts of the First Amendment work together to protect freedom and treat people equally. The lesson ends with an interactive activity called “Take a Stand,” where students use what they learned to think through real-life situations.
Lesson plans and teaching tools
Elementary School
Download the Elementary School Lesson Plan on the Separation of Church and State (geared towards 4-6 grades).
Middle School
Download the Middle School Lesson Plan on the Separation of Church and State (geared towards 6-8 grades).
High School
Download the High School Lesson Plan on the Separation of Church and State (geared towards 9-12 grades).
PowerPoint Presentation
Download the PowerPoint Presentation on the Separation of Church and State.
Take a Stand Handout
Download this Take a Stand PDF, which is useful as a handout if you can’t use PowerPoint slides.
Sample email to a teacher
Contact a teacher about the Constitution in the Classroom program with this sample email copy.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to teach this lesson?
Anytime! Find a time that works best for your schedule and the classroom teacher.
If you or the teacher have a lot of flexibility, these holidays are connected to the topic: Constitution Day (September 17), Law Day (May 1), Bill of Rights Day (December 15), or National Religious Freedom Day (January 16).
Do I need to be a Constitutional Law expert to teach this lesson?
Absolutely not! The lesson plan provides a detailed dive into the history of and law about church-state separation. All the details would be much more than you can cover in an hour-long lesson, but they are included to help you feel prepared. Also, we have included a FAQ section at the end of the lesson plan with answers to questions that Americans United’s team is regularly asked.
Do you need to be a lawyer to teach this lesson in a classroom?
No! While ACS focuses on bringing lawyers and law students to classrooms around the country, the lesson plan was written in a way that others could use it to prepare to be a guest speaker, and the content can be adapted to presentations for civic, community, or religious groups.
Can I customize these materials?
Sure! We are providing a framework based on our lawyers’ experience talking about the Constitution and church-state separation. You should tailor it to the students’ grade and might also want to connect it to the class social studies lessons.
Is CLE credit available for teaching?
Probably not, but you can check your local rules. Some jurisdictions allow teaching to count towards pro bono hours.
You don't need to be an expert to make a difference.
At Americans United, we create spaces where everyone can learn, connect, and take action to protect our democracy. No matter who you are or where you live, there is a place for you at AU.
