Tinker vs. Des Moines

Freedom of Speech tested

Ms. Diaz

Bronx School of Law & Finance

Law & Finance class

Introduction

You and some of your closest friends are against the war in Iraq. Your favorite uncle is currently in Afghanistan and you are extremely upset about that. Your family has been greatly affected and your aunt and cousins are extremely depressed. You and your friends have been closely watching media coverage of the war and have decided that Americans have no business fighting this war. You all have decided that you are tired of this war and about the fact that so many young Americans are dieing needlessly. You and your friends want to show society that you are against the war and have decided to protest it by wearing black armbands. The school principal has decided to suspend you because he/she does not want you to express war sentiment in the school.

Task

You will research freedom of speech cases in compulegal, related to this dilemma, particularly the tinker case.

You will judge both sides and decide whose rights have been violated using compulegal looking under the bill of rights, 1^st, 10^th and 14^th Amendment. You will also review both sides and chose whether you agree with one side or another. In addition, you will write a 3 page paper giving facts and your opinions about the case. You will also present, along with your group, your results. You will understand and learn how different freedom of speech cases work, and how the Supreme Court came to its decisions. Ask any questions you may have in Ask a Legal Eagle.

Process

· You will be working in groups of 4. For the first 20 minutes of the class you will be on the side of the student. You will write up what the students’ values were, which rights were violated and what actions caused them to be suspended. You will prove your argument and defend yourself as the student.

· For the next 20 minutes you will be on the side of the school. Write up what the values of the school were, what rights were violated, and you will defend yourself as the principal of the school.

· Discuss with your group whether you agree with the ruling of the Supreme Court. Review both sides and chose whether you agree with one side or another.

· Your group will then present the results of your findings and your understanding of how different freedom of speech cases work. You will also discuss how the Supreme Court came to its decisions, and why.

· In addition, you will write a 3 page paper giving facts and your opinions about the case.

Resources

· CompuLegal

· The Constitution

· Freedom of speech cases

· Landmark cases

· Tinker case

· Ask a Legal Eagle

Evaluation

Category	Grade A 100-90	Grade B 90-80	Grade C 80-70	Grade D 65	Grade F 55
Knowledge	Shows understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of the topic.	Presents satisfactory understanding of the topic	Shows little understanding of the topic.	Shows no knowledge of any of the cases or amendments.
Completion of Task	Addresses all aspects of the task. Works well in a group.	Addresses all aspects of the task.	Addresses most aspects of the task.	Attempts to address topic, but uses vague and /or inaccurate information Does not work well with others.	Did not address the topic or task
Facts	Richly supports topic with relevant facts, examples and details	Includes relevant facts, examples and details, but not support all aspects of the case	Uses some relevant facts, examples and details.	Uses little facts, examples, or details.	Included no relevant facts And or examples
Oral Presentation	Presents a strong and well organized case or point of view. All students must present for an equal amount of time.	Presents point of view and is organized.	Presents weak point of view but is not well organized.	Point of view is very weak and lacks organization. .	Does not participate in the oral presentation.
The Paper	Paper is 3pgs long. Includes all facts of the case and shows a clear understanding of the cases and amendments.				Did not do the paper.

Standards Addressed in this WebQuest are as follows:

New York City English Language Arts

• E1c Read and comprehend informational materials
• E1d Demonstrate familiarity with a variety of public documents
• E2 Writing
• E2a Produce a report of information
• E3 Speaking, Listening and Viewing
• E3b Participate in group meetings
• E3c Prepare and deliver an individual presentation
• E4 Conventions, Grammar and Usage of the English Language
• E4a Demonstrate an understanding of the rules of the English Language in written and oral work
• E4b Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness

• E2e Produce a persuasive essay

New York State Social Studies

· 4. The study of civics and citizenship requires the ability to probe ideas and assumptions, ask and answer analytical questions, take a skeptical attitude towards questionable arguments, evaluate evidence, formulate rational conclusions, develop and refine participatory skills.

New York City Social Studies

· 5. Civics, Citizenship and government

· 5.2 Students respect the rights of others in discussions and classroom debates

regardless of whether or not one agrees with their viewpoint

Conclusion

As a result of completing this Web Quest you utilized Comp Legal; a technological aid, to assist you in your research. You reviewed and analyzed Supreme Court cases and the Constitution of the U.S. You critically analyzed information while participating in a group and preparing an oral presentation. You documented your research by typing a persuasive report/paper expressing your sentiments and experiences while completing this project. You can now continue to utilize the technological research and critical thinking skills you acquired during this process to further explore the issue of Supreme Court cases, and the Constitution of the United States.