Academy Curricular Exchange
Columbia Education Center
Social Studies

TITLE:       Introduction of Restrictions on Freedom of Speech

AUTHOR:    Van Hadley; Ray High School, Utah

GRADE LEVEL:     10 - 12

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.

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