Mr. Stevens

Harry S Truman HS

WebQuest

 

Freedom of Press

 

You are a senior in Harry Truman HS, and you want to post fliers announcing a “Senior Cut Day”.  The deans advise you that you are not allowed to post the fliers.  You decide to post the fliers although you have been warned.  The deans immediately pull you from class and tell you that you must rip down every flier posted before serving your suspension.  You argue that not being able to post your fliers is a violation of your first amendment granting you religious and political freedom (freedom of press).  The dean laughing at you replies.

 

 

Task

“If you can prove or disprove your theory that I violated your first amendment I will grant you clemency.  You will complete this task by completing this webquest using the compulegal website.  You will need to look up the freedom of press cases to gain information write your persuasive essay.  You may also use the findlaw website as well for facts relating to this issue.  You are responsible for the following…

 

 

  • State whether you agree with the ruling on each case, why or why not?

 

  • Identify the facts of two other cases using an outside source.

 

  • State whether you agree with the ruling of each case and why?

 

  • Write a 3 page paper explaining if your first amendment was violated.  Be sure to support your position with facts using the compulegal website. 

 

 

Process

(1)Use index cards to write down facts and details from each case.  You may also look at the visuals such as A, B, C, D and D(2)  but you are not limiter to these.  These visuals will give you a better understanding of each case.  For each case you have at least three index cards of notes.  Carefully read the arguments from each case to help you gain your position.  (2)Then write a 3 page paper defending your position.

 

 

Resources

 

 

 

ASSESSMENT

Grade of A

  • Shows thorough understanding of the topic
  • Addresses all aspects of the task
  • Shows ability to analyze, evaluate, compare/contrast issues
  • Essay is supported with relevant facts, examples, and details
  • Presents a strong and well organized “case”

Grade of B

  • Shows a good understanding of the topic
  • Addresses all aspects of the task
  • Shows ability to analyze, evaluate issues
  • Essay includes few relevant facts, examples, and details, but not support some aspects of the “cases”
  • Presents an organized “case”

Grade of C

  • Presents satisfactory understanding of the topic
  • Addresses most aspects of the task
  • Able to analyze issues and events, but not in depth
  • Uses very little relevant facts, examples, and details
  • Presents “cases”, but not very organized

Grade of D

  • Shows little understanding of topic
  • Attempts to address topic, but uses vague and/or inaccurate information
  • Uses no facts, examples, or details
  • Cannot present an acceptable “case”

 

 

STANDARDS

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

English Language Arts

STANDARD 3

Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.

As listeners and readers, students will analyze experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety of established criteria. As speakers and writers, they will present, in oral and written language and from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.

 

 

Conclusion

By completing this WebQuest you have granted yourself clemency.  You also learned about a few of the first amendment cases that helped shaped peoples ideology on freedom of speech and freedom of press.  You also should have realized that the Dean did not violate your first amendment.