Lesson Plan #:AELP-GOV0018

Introduction of Restrictions on Freedom of Speech

An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan

Submitted by: Van Hadley
School or Affiliation: Ray High School, Utah
Endorsed by: These lesson plans are the result of the work of the teachers who have attended the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshop. CEC is a consortium of teacher from 14 western states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States, and particularly the quality of math and science Education. CEC uses Big Sky Telegraph as the hub of their telecommunications network that allows the participating teachers to stay in contact with their trainers and peers that they have met at the Workshops.

Date: May 1994

Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12

Subject(s):

Overview: Students often times see the Bill of Rights granting them unlimited rights. The need for them to see the limits of those rights are important. This lesson helps them to see those limits.

Purpose: To demonstrate limits to freedom of speech.

Objectives: Students will recognize some limits to speech

Activities and Procedures: Roll Play-- The student and teacher will roll play a situation where speech is limited. To prepare this situation the teacher must meet with the student prior to class. At this meeting the teacher explains the roll play. The teacher explains that he will begin the lesson with some instructions or other normal daily business. At that time you pre-arrange a cue such as: "now get out your books". When the cue is given in class the student is to let out with an expletive that is also pre-arranged. The teacher then reprimands the student and threatens with removal from class. The student responds with another expletive and the teacher and student leave the class. It is important to leave for a few minutes so that the class can think about what has just occurred. The teacher and student then re-enters the room and says "lets talk about freedom of speech".

Tying It All Together: This activity lends itself well to a discussion of limits such as obscenity, defamation, fighting words, or time, manner, and place restrictions.