Web Quest

Freedom of Speech, Religion, and Press

By Jacqueline Williams

Jordan L. Mott C.I.S. 22

Social Studies

This lesson has been constructed to provide 7^th grade students with and insight on how the First Amendment related to the rights of Americans. Once they have completed this assignment they should be able to discuss the use of this Amendment on the political system today.

Introduction: The First Amendment stated Congress shall make no law respecting an Establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or Abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

What does this mean? How does it relate to us as Untied States citizens? This is what we plan to examine. Suppose you were told you had to salute the flag , couldn’t be exposed to books of various genres or could not express your view on different issues. We are going to look at a situation which those very rights were questioned. This would be the court case of Tinker v. Des Moines. In December of 1965 three students decided to voice their opinions on an issue which they were against.

Task: They will be broken up into the following four groups (1^st) the students, (2^nd ) the courts, (3^rd) the principal, and (4^th) the parents. They will base their views and opinions from the group to which they have been assigned. They will be asked to review the given information presented on this case. Then interject you beliefs and understanding of this amendment from your given position. Once this part of the task is complete the groups will be asked to come together in an organized effort to debate their findings. This can be accomplished either through a mock trial or a debate team.

Vocabulary: Abridging, assemble, petition, redress, and grievances

Process: The students will contact CompuLEGAL’s case library for the First Amendment Cases. There they will be asked to go into Freedom of Speech Cases. (Tinker v Des Moines.)

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/scales/tinker.html

They will also be allowed to interview the principal, assistant principal, and teachers. They can also use American Journey (S.S. text) and Scholastic Search (Vol. 20 No 2 October 1991. ISSN 0163-4798). They can refer questions to the Con Law legal advisors as well.

Evaluation: At the close of this task the students will be evaluated on the presentations of their facts. A outside panel will be assembled to hear the given arguments. Since the outcome of the court decision is already stated if will be up to the presenters to show the possibilities on not having that law in existence and the outcome. They will be judged on their ability to present their findings , presentation of any cases that may have had similar of different out and why. A hand written summary of their findings and conclusions will be given from each group. They will be given letter grades.

Conclusion: The students will have learned how the First Amendments relates to them as young up and coming citizens of the United States. It is hoped that they will learn the value of this right to freedom of speech and a fair justice system.