As a part of a study of the First Amendment, high schoolers research a current news story that seems to involve one of the freedoms granted by the First Amendment. Investigators decide whether they think the action presented in the story should be protected or not.

Concepts

the first amendment, freedom of speech, fact and opinion, opinion writing, opinions, censorship, critical thinking

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Instructional Ideas

• Display the op-ed essays and the posters on a themed wall; post the video blogs on the class website
• Use the lesson during a study of the First Amendment

Classroom Considerations

• Requires individual copies of both the "In My Opinion" and "First Amendment Basics" handouts

Pros

• Includes discussion questions that ask researchers to consider the idea of balancing rights

Cons

• None

Common Core

CCRA.W.1 CCRA.W.8 CCRA.SL.4 CCRA.SL.5