The state Commissioner of Education held that it was illegal for school officials to punish the students for missing school to participate in a political protest more harshly than if they had missed school for any other purpose. Here in Rhode Island, for example, the Department of Education ruled that a student could be disciplined for writing a sexually explicit song about a teacher and posting it online when copies of the song were then brought to school by other students. HOLIDAY DISPLAYS Visit http://judiciallearningcenter.org/your-1st-amendment-rights/. 's' : ''}}. How much can my school regulate what else I wear? These limits help guarantee Americans’ liberty, freedom, and access to their democracy. This can include, for example, wearing clothing that endorses or criticizes a politician or, as in more recent cases, wearing t-shirts concerning gay rights. One good source for cartoons is. But there are two important limitations on what school officials can do to you. In addition to First Amendment protections, the 2017 law specifically protects “independent journalists” from being sanctioned for their activities. When you have students conduct the case study reviews, try to distance the student groups away from each other so that their conversation doesn’t distract the other groups. Visit http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons_plans/the-dilemma-of-protecting-free-speech/. The local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan opens an office three blocks from the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Alabama where 4 small girls were killed after a bomb exploded. Historically, freedom of speech has not included speech that directly advocates others to commit violence nor has it included threats intended to cause someone to legitimately fear for their safety. School officials are limited in their ability to punish students for ideas expressed on the student’s own time and outside of school. Have students think of other ways that the First Amendment doesn't apply, such as screaming 'fire' in a crowded theater. FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY - The right to peacefully assemble means we have the right to gather in groups and to peacefully protest. First Amendment School Hudson High School in Hudson, Massachusetts, also formed a new student governance program that involves students in school-wide decisions, said teacher Josh Otlin, who is involved in the program. Begin by asking students to talk about what freedom of speech means to them. SchoolJournalism.org – Exploring the First Amendment by Patricia L. Robinson, Belle Chasse Academy, Student Press Law Center – These SPLC materials include handouts, lesson plans and PowerPoint presentations on press freedoms. The First Amendment protections of free speech and religion were adopted in 1791 and are said to be the quintessential example of government placing checks on its own power. The basis for this is that information is critical to the free expression of ideas. In practice, this means that people have the right to sue the government if it does something that we think is wrong – and lobby the government to pass laws that we believe in. However, any policies along those lines would have to be clearly and reasonably drafted, and specific as to what was not allowed. Can I be disciplined for participating in a walkout? Conduct a case study applying First Amendment protections to recent cases where the exercise of free speech was offensive to others. After this lesson, students will be able to: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole. 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National opinion polls show that most Americans are in favor of the free expression protections outlined in the First Amendment. The freedom to express views different or even at odds with the status quo helps educate the citizenry to better manage their government and gives groups on the minority an opportunity to vent their frustration and concern. Keep in mind that if you encourage students to miss class, block a hallway, or make a lot of noise while others are studying, it will likely be considered a disruption. In this lesson, students will have the opportunity to reflect on what freedom means to them, understand the First Amendment freedoms and their complexities, explore cases brought before the courts that are impacted by the First Amendment freedoms, and create a project that reflects how the First Amendment impacts their daily lives. Visit http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/freedom-of-expression-online-outlining-the-first-amendment-for-teenagers/?_r=0, PBS – In PBS’s Newshour Extra, “The Dilemma of Protecting Free Speech – Lesson Plan” by Greg Timmons. Also, Where do Student Press Rights Start…and Stop? explores issues surrounding freedom of the speech and of the press, and of banned books in school libraries. After all groups have completed the case study, have a spokesperson from each group summarize the case and the decision. study CENSORSHIP OF CURRICULA In a Rhode Island case, Cumberland high school students walked out of school one day to protest a new dress code. In this activity, students will review several examples of free expression that most would consider highly offensive and determine whether such speech is protected by the First Amendment. Create your account, Already registered? SCHOOL-SPONSORED NEWSPAPERS {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons The First Amendment: Commercial Speech, Scrutiny & Restrictions, Over 83,000 lessons in all major subjects, {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, Bill of Rights Activities for Middle School, Bill of Rights Activities for High School, First Amendment Lesson Plan for Elementary School, What is Freedom of the Press? All rights reserved. Students’ Right to Protest the Pledge and National Anthem: Advice for Supporting Young People, Religious Freedom Publications & Resources, Primer on the First Amendment & Religious Freedom, Support ADL through your Donor-advised Fund, Support ADL through a wire transfer donation. Teach students the value and importance of studying human catastrophes, in general, and the Holocaust, in particular. Review with students the text of the First Amendment excerpt and remind them that this limitation not only applies to Congress (the national government) but that the 14th Amendment (ratified in 1868) extended this limitation to the states and local governments. Anyone can earn This brings us to the two cases highlighted in this lesson: The planned Quran burning by a Florida pastor and the anti-gay protests at the funerals of military personnel killed in the line of duty.