By Ilene E. Colbert

Jane Addams Vocational High School

Email Address: Icolbert@aol.com

Who are the BLOODS? A few years ago New York City was introduced to The Bloods. The Bloods are a street gang that has been hurting people, selling drugs and destroying our neighborhoods. This gang made its appearances in a few of the New York City Schools, harming students who would not become a gang member. One school decided not to allow their students to wear red shirts because it symbolized the gang members’ colors. The students felt it was unfair to them and during an assembly one student spoke against the school’s policy of wearing red shirts. The Principal of that school was very upset that the student was verbally protesting the school’s policy, therefore the Principal expelled the student. Was it fair that the student was expelled? What would you do if this happened to you? The First Amendment gives us freedom of speech. We are going to examine the Tinker v. Des Moines School District.

Students will be broken up into two groups: Group one will support the Student and Group two will support the school’s decision. Students will review the case and debate against each other their findings. Students must research the Tinker v. Des Moines School District, and two other cases that deals with freedom of speech. Use the Compulegal method to complete other similar analysis of the cases. Each student must identify each person involved the cases that they researched. Present the facts of each case and give the decision for each case. Students must give their opinion as to if they agree with the decision or not.

The students will be divided into two debate teams. Each group will need to:

q Complete [HHLHS1] an analysis of the Tinker v. Des Moines School District.

q Use the Compulegal method to complete a similar analysis of the case. Research the issue of freedom of Speech.

1. Wisconsin vs. Mitchell

2. Feiner vs. New York

3. Bethel vs. Fraser

4. Texas vs. Johnson

5. Ladue vs. Gilleo

6. Forsyth County vs. The Nationalist Movement

q Gather your research together as a group to come up with strong facts in favor of the school or in favor of the student.

q You should be able to answer (1) What does “Freedom of Speech” mean in Society? (2) What type of speech does the 1^st. Amendment protect? (3) Explain the term “clear and present danger?

q You must use the website listing in your research.

q Each team must choose a presenter, a reporter and a leader.

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips/fos/

www.findlaw.com

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal

http://refdesk.com

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips/bor.html.

Students will be evaluated using the following rubric:

Earned a Grade of A

q Shows thorough understanding of the topic

q Addresses all aspects of the task

q Shows ability to analyze, evaluate, compare and contrast issues

q Richly supports topic with relevant facts, examples, and details

q Shows ability to analyze, evaluate, compare and contrast issues

q Richly supports topic with relevant facts, examples, and details

q Presents a strong and well organized “ case”

Earned a Grade of B

q Shows a good understanding of the topic

q Addresses all aspects of the task

q Shows ability to analyze, evaluate issues

q Includes relevant facts, examples, and details, but not support all aspects of the “case”

q Presents an organized “case”

Earned a Grade of C

q Presents satisfactory understanding of the topic

q Addresses most aspects of the task

q Able to analyze issues and events, but not in depth

q Uses some relevant facts, examples, and details

q Presents “case”, but not very organized

Earned a Grade of D

q Shows little understanding of topic

q Attempts to address topic, but uses vague and/or inaccurate information

q Uses little facts, examples, or details

q Cannot present an acceptable “case”

Students will have an understanding Freedom of speech for the young as well as for the old. The Students understand the idea of the First Amendments and how it can apply to them as a youth.

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