Day 1 Law and First Amendment lesson

Prepared by: Jami Williams, Mexico High School, Mexico, Missouri

TARGET
Students will be understand the freedoms guaranteed to scholastic journalists under the First Amendment.

EDUCATION METHODS

1. PowerPoint presentation/lecture
2. Independent research in individual learning project

OBJECTIVES

1. Level 1 (Basic) understanding of the rights guaranteed to journalists under the First Amendment
2. Level 1 (Basic) understanding of the difference between rights guaranteed to journalists and rights guaranteed to scholastic journalists under the First Amendment

MATERIALS NEEDED

1. PowerPoint labeled First Amendment Day 1
2. Everything You Need to Know graphic organizer

VERIFICATION
Steps to check for student understanding

1. Teacher will do frequent comprehension checks in the form of Classroom Assessment Techniques (thumbs up, thumbs down; exit slip in the form of post-it note summary); for more CAT’s go here: https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/cats/
2. Formative assessment will be in the form of an exit slip CAT.

FLOW OF LESSON

1. Suggested bell ringer: Is going through someone’s trash, while it is sitting on the curb of the street, to find evidence of something that they have done an invasion of privacy or a justified technique of investigation?
2. PowerPoint presentation/lecture and discussion
3. Assignment of individual learning project using the Everything You Need to Know graphic organizer

INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PROJECT – Everything You Need to Know

1. This activity is designed to give students a basic understanding and outline of the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier case.
2. The activity promotes the higher-level skills of critical thinking and summarization by allowing only five pivotal points to be chosen to encapsulate each side of the story.
3. The Individual Learning Project should be given as homework if you operate on a short class period or as in-class work. It is recommended that students work on the project alone instead of with a group so that they can begin to form their own opinions about the case.

WRAPPING IT UP

1. Exit slip: In one sentence, sum up why you feel freedom of the press is such an important freedom in today’s society.