By: Robert Pennington
I.S. 174
Introduction:
Security Officer Flanders witnesses a student snapping his do-rag at other students. Since it is school policy to confiscate all do-rags that are being snapped, Officer Flanders asks the student for the do-rag. The student responds by shoving the do-rag into his book bag. Officer Flanders takes him to the Deans office where he looks in the bag and finds knife. Since this is a weapon the student was given a superintendent suspension for 5 days.
In your group, you must decide whether the Dean had the right to search this student’s book bag. Does it violate the Constitutional (in the Constitution) rights of students? Recently, I have heard about this Supreme Court case, New Jersey V. T.L.O discussing similar matters; it would be very helpful in making your case.
Task:
In groups of 4 students will be able to:
a) Have two students who will be the prosecutors (representing the dean and the school and two students will be the defense (representing the student).
b) Use Compulegal to gain facts about each side.
c) Answer a worksheet justifying their point of view and from the other point of view.
d) Then all of the defendants and prosecutors will meet and discuss their point of view.
e) Have a debate where students can present their point of views.
Process:
1. Visit the Compulegal website to help you learn about the New Jersey V. T.L.O.
a. Read the Facts of the Case.
b. Look at the Visual on this case.
2. When you finish looking at the materials answer the following questions?
a. What happened to the 14 year old girl?
b. What did the principal do?
c. Was the principal wrong? Why or why not?
d. What
did the local
e. What
about
3. Hand-out: “How to present your reasoning”
4. The reasoning worksheet will allow you to state your specific case. Be sure to give an in depth reasoning and examples.
5. Go to the Arguments Page. Here you will see the other sides point of view.
6. Review your reasoning page.
7. Read the Supreme Court Decision.
8. In your group, you will write down important facts so that you can present you side of the case clearly.
Resources:
1. Compulegal
Evaluation:
Student reports
will be evaluated using the following rubric:
Earned
a Grade of 4
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 3
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 2
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 1
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”
Social Studies Standards:
SS5 – Civics, Citizenship, and Government –
Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their
understanding of the necessity for establishing governments, the governmental
system of the United States and other nations; the United States Constitution,
the basic civic values of American constitutional democracy; and the roles,
rights and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation.
Conclusion:
Students will have an understanding of Conlaw. Students will have researched the