The Maine Civil Liberties Union is committed to helping educators create dynamic, interactive, and inspiring curricula that encourage students to think beyond their textbooks and into the future of American democracy.

Fall Student Conferences
The MCLU hosts three student conferences in the fall. Students convene at a University of Maine campus in three different locations in the state to spend the day learning about civil liberties and the amendments to the Constitution. Rotating workshops are led by MCLU Volunteer Attorneys, Board Members, and Staff. Lunch is provided for students.

Our 2010 Conferences have been scheduled:
     - Farmington - October 21
     - Belfast - October 26
     - Portland - November 3

If you would like to bring a class, Civil Rights Team, or students to our conferences, please email MCLU Field Director Brianna Twofoot at btwofoot@mclu.org for more information. Register soon!

Curricular Materials
MCLU: Privacy and Technology
Students simulate a public hearing for a bill in the Maine State Legislature, and consider difficult questions about privacy and technology, specifically whether the FBI should be allowed to continue to track people using GPS technology in cell phones.

MCLU: TLO vs. NJ Mock Trial
Through participating in a mock trial, students learn about their 4th amendment rights in school.

MCLU: USA PATRIOT Act
A sample scenario students can use to learn about the USA PATRIOT Act. This lesson is used after reviewing the Bill of Rights Defense Committee's booklet "The War on Terror and the Constitution".

MCLU: The Great White Rabbit
Students learn the ins and outs of the First Amendment through this hypothetical scenario based on several First Amendment SCOTUS cases.

MCLU: Leveling the Play Field and Breckenridge High School
Title IX, a section of the Civil Rights Act, ensures gender equity for students. From uniforms for sports teams to single-sex classrooms, students study complex issues of gender under Title IX at Breckenridge High School.

ACLU of Michigan's Guide to Teaching the Bill of Rights
Lessons, activities and case overviews of the First and Fourth Amendments

Invite a Speaker to Your Classroom
The MCLU leads many workshops in the classroom. We have visited social studies and American Government classes, civil rights teams, entire grade levels or schools to teach about the Bill of Rights. Work with an MCLU staff member to tailor a lesson to the curriculum you are covering currently. Email btwofoot@mclu.org for more information.