Freedom of Speech in Public Schools
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
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