Freedom of Speech in Public Schools

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Teacher:

Andrew Berang

Lesson Goal(s):

Students will understand how the complexity of freedom of speech in schools in the 21st century.

Essential Question(s):

How has the first amendment been applied to free speech in public schools?

Lesson Plan:

  • Begin the lesson by having students independently respond to the “Freedom of Speech Questions.”
  • Share out and discuss the the students responses to the “Freedom of Speech Questions.”
  • Present students will an overview students the history of interpretation of freedom of speech in schools.
  • Have students complete page 5 of the packet entitled “The Exchange: Should students’ cyber speech be protected under the First Amendment?”  They will need pages 6 and 7 of the packet. These contain information about cases such as Tinker vs. Des Moines and Bethel vs. Frasier.
  • Discuss student responses to Student Worksheet 1-Censorship in schools
  • Have students complete pg 8 of packet “Student Worksheet 2-Developing an opinion”
  • Discuss the implications of social media and cyberspace and how it presents a new challenge for schools as well as the earlier decisions made by the Supreme Court
  • Have students read this article about the twitter incident at Bedford High School that discusses the implications of social media and the 1st amendment:
  • Discuss the article and hand students page 2 of “The Exchange packet” entitled “Should students’ cyber speech be protected under the first amendment”
  • Have students complete bubbles at bottom (arguments in favor of censorship/consequences and arguments in favor of free speech)

Assessment:

Students will write a three paragraph essay.  The essay should present a reasoned argument responding to the question: “Should students’ cyber speech be protected under the first amendment.”

Supporting Materials:

  • Freedom of Speech Questions
  • History of Interpretation of Freedom of Speech in Schools
  • The Exchange: Should students’ cyber speech be protected under the First Amendment?

Materials and Documents

Freedom of Speech in Public Schools Lesson Plan

Full lesson plan for Freedom of Speech in Public Schools

Related Links

History of Interpretation of Freedom of Speech in Schools

The Establishment Clause prohibits the mandatory establishment of religion, ​while The Free Speech Clause guarantees the right to the free exercise of religion.
The Exchange: Should students' cyber speech be protected under the First Amendment?

This lesson encourages students to deliberate on the issue of cyber speech and the First Amendment. Through the use of court cases and school policy, students will be able to define student expression rights and then evaluate the necessity and constitutionality of censoring and reprimanding students’ online social networking behavior.
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