Introduction

A reporter from your school newspaper was sent to cover a basketball game played by your school team against your chief rival. During the course of the game your star player is elbowed, but no foul is called by the referee. Your team loses by one point. Afterwards, the reporter interviews several of the students. They reply to his questions as to the referee’s judgment with pejorative terminology about the coach and the principal of the opposing team and the referee as well. Before the newspaper is published, the teacher advisor tells the editorial board that the negative words about the opposing side and the referee must be removed, or the article will not be included in the next edition of the paper. The editorial board confers and is divided. Several members believe that the paper should be published in its entirety and cite Freedom of the Press and of Speech. Other members do not see any problem with agreeing to the advisor’s directions and eliminating the offensive words. They approach the TIPS teacher and ask her advice. She suggests that they research the issue before deciding and cites U.S. Supreme Court cases, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier and Tinker v. Des Moines. The web site she directs the students to is www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips.htm. Having researched these important cases and their precedents, how would you respond if you were a member of the editorial board?

Task

Using both the First Amendment and the Hazelwood and Tinker cases together with their precedents as a basis for your arguments, pro and con, create a courtroom scenario. This scenario must include a judge, jury, lawyers (prosecutor and defense), court officers, and witnesses, to be played by students and must follow appropriate courtroom etiquette. The finished product should be done in play format with stage directions to be handed into the teacher. The play also requires a student director. Before beginning their task, students should familiarize themselves with ProjectTips@www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips.html

Process

1. Students will research how the First Amendment has been argued in Tinker v. Des Moines, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, et. al.@www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips.html

2. Students will research appropriate courtroom procedure and decorum. This will include a class trip to the New York State Supreme Court, Bronx, NY.

3. Each student will prepare an article with an interview (including reporter and interviewed students). Each student will either be a reporter or an interviewee, and will follow the techniques of newspaper reporting. Peer editing will follow. Then, after a group discussion, the class will come to a consensus as to whose article will be presented in evidence. Student drafts and final articles will be submitted to the teacher for grading.

4. Students, together with the teacher, will decide which role each will fill and also who will be the director. Together, they will write a script (they may appoint a writing team, or all may participate). Appropriate format for script writing will be followed.

5. Students will have rehearsals and provide their own scenery. Again, students may elect to have backstage staff.

6. Finalized product. Students may videotape their endeavor.

Resources

ProjectTips@www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips.html

ProjectTips@http://maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/Lessons/intro/introstudent.html

Other search engines may be used, e.g., netscape.com, aol.com, google.com

Office of the Bronx District Attorney@www.bronxda.net web site

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on the following rubrics:

1. Appropriate focus, format, grammar for both draft and finalized news article product;

2. Cooperation between editing partners;

3. Cooperation between group members;

4. Attention to detail in following courtroom decorum.

5. Appropriate arguments from opposing sides.

6. Technical expertise of cameraman.

Conclusion

ELA Standards: Reading, Speaking and Listening, Conventions, Grammar and Usage of the English Language, Literature, Public Documents, and Functional Documents.