1. Engel v. Vitale Prayer

Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country.



2. Before children in a public school kindergarten class have their daily afternoon snack of cookies and milk, they recite the following verse:

God is Great, God is Good, and we thank him for our food.

The verse was recited on a television show called "Romper Room," a children's television show that in various forms was broadcast between 1953 and 1994. The kindergarten teacher loved watching the show as a child and introduced the verse as part of the snack time routine based on her nostalgia for the show.

A parent has now complained to the school principal that the teacher is unconstitutionally introducing religion into the classroom. Is the parent correct?



3. A Florida kindergarten class recites the following verse at the beginning of each school day:

We thank you for the flowers so sweet;

We thank you for the food we eat;

We thank you for the birds that sing;

We thank you for everything.

The school board stated that the purpose of the verse was to calm the children down and create a sense of appreciation for the world.

Can the verse be recited or would it violate the Establishment Clause?





4. A state enacts the following law:

Silent meditation. Each local or regional board of education shall provide an opportunity at the start of each school day for students and teachers to observe no more than one minute in silent meditation, personal thoughts or prayer.  During such time, silence shall be maintained and no activities engaged in.

The sponsor of the law stated in legislative debates that the law furthered the important purpose of allowing students a moment of silence at the start of the school day so that students can leave behind outside activities and concerns and focus their attention on their education.

Does the law violate the Establishment Clause?