Lesson 2: I Can't Wear What?? Print All Related Standards

Description

Students meet Ben Brewer and find out what happened the day he decided to wear his favorite band t-shirt to school in violation of a new dress code rule. Students read a summary of a Supreme Court case to figure out the “rule” that applies to Ben’s problem. This lesson lays the groundwork for students to write two short persuasive essays—one arguing each side of the issue.

Objectives

The student will:

  • Identify a freedom of speech issue in a fictional scenario.
  • Construct the rule about freedom of speech in schools by reading and color-coding a summary of the Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines.
  • Apply the rule to a variety of hypothetical scenarios.

Lesson Prep

PRINT
the student and teacher materials.
I Can't Wear What.pdfapplication/pdf icon
DOWNLOAD
and preview the Power Point presentation. (optional)
I Can't Wear What.pptapplication/vnd.ms-powerpoint icon

Step by Step

ANTICIPATE by asking students to imagine how they would feel if the school suddenly made a rule against wearing t-shirts related to music groups. (If students are already not allowed to wear t-shirts, substitute something else.) Ask them whether they think the school would be allowed to make that kind of rule. 

SHOW the Our Courts News video. If you are using the Power Point presentation, just follow the link on Slide 2. If you aren't using the Power Point presentation, open this link directly: http://www.icivics.org/supreme-decision-trailer. After showing the video, either advance to Slide 3 or go directly to distributing the worksheet. If you cannot show the video, just print and copy the transcript and read it wtih the class.

DISTRIBUTE colored pencils and one student worksheet to each student.

READ the Tinker v. Des Moines summary with students.

GUIDE students through the activities on the second page of the worksheet.

REVIEW answers with students. If you are using the Power Point presentation, slides 4 through 23 let you review and discuss the “What If” worksheet activity (activity B). If you are not using Power Point, use the teacher guide to review and discuss the "What If?" activity.

Recommended Sequence

Before: 
Lesson 1: So You Think You Can Argue
After: 
Lesson 3: Lookin' for Evidence

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