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Lesson 2: I Can't Wear What??
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 the problem by watching a video about Ben’s t-shirt trouble
- 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 by judging whether hypothetical scenarios would or would not violate the rule
Lesson Prep
COPY
the "I Can't Wear What??" reading worksheet. (class set; 2-sided okay)
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 choose the Power Point option, just follow the link on Slide 2 of the “I Can’t Wear What??” Power Point presentation. If you don’t want to use 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.
DISTRIBUTE colored pencils and one “Ben’s T-Shirt Trouble” 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 using the Power Point option, slides 4 through 23 let you review and discuss the “What If” worksheet activity. If not using Power Point, review all worksheet activities using your Teacher Key and Reading Worksheet Guide.
Recommended Sequence
© iCivics Inc.
Tinker v. Des Moines School
Question: So did the court rule in favor of the school and principal in this case? Was the court ruling later overturned if originally it ruled in favor of the school?
Thanks