Lenora Zeitchick

LZeitchick@aol.com

Web Quest: Do you think school faculty need a warrant to search students’ personal property to investigate school-related misconduct? Why, or why not?

What do you Know?

Introduction

A 14 year old freshman was discovered smoking in a lavatory in a New Jersey high school by a teacher. The student was questioned by an assistant principal, and she denied smoking. The assistant principal demanded to see her purse, opened it and found a pack of cigarettes. While removing the cigarettes he noticed rolling paper and after a thorough search he found items implicating the student in drug dealing.

Resources

The Facts and Issue Question

The Facts of the Case and the Issue Question

Arguments

Precedents

Decision

What do you Want to know?

Task #1

Write a position paper addressing one of the questions below.

1. What issues and values are involved in search and seizure?

2. What implications are there in the outcome?

3. Can you relate to the situation as depicted in the case?

4. How might you have responded in a similar situation?

5. What do you predict the outcome of this case will be?

6. Do you agree?

7. What additional arguments might be applicable?

8. What are the future implications?

9. Do you think employers need a warrant to search employees’ desks to investigate work-related conduct? Why or why not?

10. Should students have the same rights as adults? Support your position.

11. Why do you think these cases involving “search warrants” and “due process” have important ramifications? Cite some examples from your own experiences.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

What have you Learned?

Task #2

Show what you have learned by creating an original piece of work in the form of either a rubric for a research paper, a PowerPoint presentation, an art project or photo journal, a poem, a 2-3 page term paper, a cartoon, a diorama, an oral presentation, a thematic, computer-based test, an essay, a letter to an official, a role play, or an editorial.

The Process

1. Students will form self-selected groups.

2. Students will examine several cases, related to the issue of Search and Seizure from CompuLEGAL.

3. Students will decide which position they agree/disagree with as related to the inquiry question.

4. Groups will explore the actions, determine the values and examine the legal bases that support their position.

5. The groups will present their arguments to the class in the form of a presentation.

6. Each presentation will be debriefed.

7. Students will determine whether the decisions made by the courts conform to their values and what further changes they expect over time.

8. Students will submit a class project of their work.

Evaluation

Student evaluation will be based upon the following criteria:

Effort and initiative

Teamwork

Presentation and debrief

Written research project

Grade of A

Excellent

1. Student shows a complete understanding of the research topic.

2. Student provides facts and opinions with supporting details.

3. Student shows the ability to analyze, evaluate, and apply critical thinking skills to information.

4. Student participates in group process.

5. Student submits complete written project.

Grade of B

Good

1. Student shows a good understanding of the research topic.

2. Student provides facts and opinions with supporting details.

3. Student shows the ability to analyze and evaluate information.

4. Student participates in group process.

5. Student submits complete written project.

Grade of C

Passing

1. Student shows a satisfactory understanding of the research topic

2. Student provides facts and opinions with some supporting details.

3. Student shows the ability to minimally analyze and evaluate information.

4. Student participates in group process.

5. Student submits written project.

Grade of D

Incomplete

1. Student shows a minimal understanding of the research topic.

2. Student provides minimal facts and opinions.

3. Student shows the poor ability to analyze and evaluate information.

4. Student has difficulty participating in group process.

5. Student submits incomplete written project.

Standards Addressed

Social Studies 5

ELA 1, 3, 4

Conclusion

By completing this WebQuest you have used CompuLegal to explore several issues involved in search and seizure. You have then implemented the information in a presentation and debriefing of your position. You have submitted your research and participated in a group project. You have also responded with a reflection paper on your feelings and experiences while completing this research project. You can now utilize the technological research and critical thinking skills that you have acquired during this process to further explore this issue or any additional issues that are of interest to you.