Though at first glance it may appear challenging, teaching about religion and its influence on history and culture is fascinating and motivating for students. Doing so with the First Amendment as a foundation is one of the most important things that schools can do. . . .
– The History-Social Science Framework for California Public Schools, Appendix F (2017)
California’s social-studies curriculum calls for middle-school teachers to teach about world religions in the sixth and seventh grades, as well as its role in American history in the eighth grade. The required treatment of religion in the public-school curriculum can be tricky for many teachers. On the one hand, public schools are secular institutions. On the other hand, as the U.S. Supreme Court said in a 1963 case restricting Bible readings in schools:
Indeed, whether or not the Bible is involved, it would be impossible to teach meaningfully many subjects in the social sciences or the humanities without some mention of religion.
In middle school, much of the tension surrounding religion in public schools comes to a head. It is in sixth grade that the California state social studies curriculum covers the origins of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. In seventh grade, the cross-cultural meetings of several of these religions is covered, along with significant religious movements such as the Reformation in Europe. And in eighth grade, religion has a key role in U.S. history, including in many social movements for reform, like abolitionism and temperance.
On November 4, 2025, Teach Democracy will be proud to co-sponsor with the Los Angeles County Office of Education Teaching About Religion in History: Using the First Amendment in Middle School Classrooms, a one-day workshop. To help teachers develop their skills in religious literacy (knowing about world religions) and protecting religious liberty (according to the First Amendment), this workshop will explore the best practices aligned with the First Amendment as explained in the California History Social-Science Framework (2016) and the AAR Guidelines for Teaching About Religion in K-12 Public Schools in the United States (2010).
Damon Huss, Teach Democracy’s director of publications, will conduct the workshop, joined by Bruce Grelle, professor emeritus of religious studies at California State University, Chico. Topics explored will include:
- The history and current application of First Amendment jurisprudence on religion in public schools.
- Methods for getting students to articulate First Amendment principles, including moot court, Civil Conversation (CivCon), small-group decision-making, and more.
- The principles of religious studies as applied practically in the classroom.
- How to frame learning about world religions in a relevant, civic-learning strategy.
You can register now at the link below:
Teaching About Religion in History: Using the First Amendment in Middle School Classrooms
Date and Time: November 4, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Los Angeles County Office of Education ECW, 12830 Columbia Way, Downey, CA, 90242-4720
Breakfast and registration will open at 8:00 a.m. Lunch will also be provided.
Participants will receive a complimentary copy of Of Codes and Crowns: From the Ancient World to the Renaissance (Teach Democracy), both student text and teacher’s guide, or Landmarks: Supreme Court Cases (Teach Democracy), both student text and teacher’s guide.
Register here: https://lacoe.k12oms.org/1537-265791
Contact: HistorySocialScience@lacoe.edu
