Make Friends and Influence Justices: A Supreme Court Exercise and Webquest

By J. Goring

John F. Kennedy High School

Bronx, NY

A recreation of yesterday evening:

(ring…ring…)

Yes? Hello?

Hello. You probably recognize me as the principal of a local high school. I got your name from the Kennedy directory, and I know you’re supposed to be the best attorney in the 11^th grade. I just suspended a no-good delinquent for making fun of me over the Internet, something he wrongfully insists is unconstitutional. I want to fight him all the way to the Supreme Court, and I need your knowledge and expertise to assist me. Will you take the case?

Don’t worry. I’m on it!

The Assignment:

Prepare an argument for the Supreme Court on the right of the principal to suspend a student for making fun of him via the Internet. This argument should be five minutes in length, must refer to appropriate Constitutional amendments and legal precedent as seen in previous Supreme Court cases (use at least three). The argument must be supplemented by a Powerpoint presentation consisting of no fewer than four slides.

Potential Resources:

TIPS website: www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips.html

American Bar Association website: www.abanet.org

Your government textbook

Evaluation:

· Speech referencing amendments and legal precedent: 75%

· Powerpoint Presentation: 25%