Freedom of Religion

Donald Y. Brown: Special Education Teacher CIS 22

Introduction: Students will discuss and debate in a cooperative learning setting the following case scenario about Freedom of Religion.

In the Moslem religion females are required to cover their heads with traditional veils in the present of males. District - 9 school district maintained that the veils worn by the Moslem female students’ was distracting causing a disruption in the learning environment. The school district prohibited the students from wearing the veils in school. Their families felt that this was a clear infringement of the students’ freedom of religion. They decided to take the school district to court. The case was heard in the United States Supreme Court.

 

Task: In your group you are representatives of the Supreme Court. It will be your responsibility to rule on the case using specific court cases as evidence of your decision.

 

Process:
  1. Discuss the case scenario among your group members to determine a preliminary decision.
  2. Look up on the Internet specific cases to support your decision.
  3. Cite each case with a brief description about the court ruling.
  4. Write a one-page summary of your group decision {majority rules}
  5. Present your ruling to the class.

 

There will be a recorder who will record the group decision. An Internet web searcher will search the cases on the net. A presenter will present the information to the class. Teacher will randomly pick student by having them draw straws for their role in the group.

 

Resources: To aide you in making this important decision look up the following cases from these web sites.

Wisconsin v. Yoder {1972}, Lemon v. Kurtzman {1971} and Everson v Board of Education {1947). You can also use your social studies textbook for general information. These cases may aide you in making your decision.

 

Evaluation: Students will provide a one-page summary of their Supreme Court ruling on the case. The will also have an oral presentation of the ruling.

 

Web Quest Assessment: Be sure to bookmark the www site before leaving the site.