Bill of Rights Webquest | Create WebQuest

Introduction

A WebQuest for 12th Grade Social Studies

In this web quest students well be seperated into 9 different groups. Each group will be assigned a different right. After researching their right they will have to create informational poster board making sure to include court cases and news articles about their right.

Task

Task:

In your groups it will be your job to review the history of your right and the previous court cases and current news articles about the civil liberty. You will be asked to create a poster board which you will present to the other groups. Each poster should include, but is not limited to the following items:

1. Summary of your case

2. Name the Civil Right at issue

2. Name the Amendment corresponding to the Civil Right

3. Give examples of previous court cases corresponding to your particular issue, and a summary of any information that would be prudent to persuading the partners of your firm to take your case.

4. Explain why your particular case will help to better protect Americans' Civil Liberties.

Process

During this WebQuest you will be working together in a group of 3-4 students to gather information and to create your poster for the presentation.

1. Each group has been assigned a particular right or amendment from the Bill of Rights which you will research. You will use the Internet, reviewing both chosen sites and sites that you find on your own.

2. Put your thoughts down on the WebQuest guide sheet that has been printed out for you. Be sure to follow the guide specifically so that you are able to present all of the information correctly for your presentation.

3. First, get a good idea of what the amendment really says. Decide how these rights relate to our lives today.

4. Next, research court cases that relate to your Right/Amendment. Choose one or two cases that explain how the definition of your Right has changed over time.

5. Once you have researched your assigned Right/Amendment you will need to summarize the important details of the cases you choose so you can put them on your poster and prepare for the presentation.

Group 1. Free Speech

You have been asked by the "Haters" group to defend them in court. They have been charged with a disruption of the public space. They apparently were protesting in front of the local high school. The police claim they were trying to incite a riot when they were claiming that War Hawks (the schools mascot) were a bunch of sissies. They now want to sue the local police department for a breach of their first amendment right to free speech.

Resources:

http://aclu.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=425#Issues

http://www.ecasebriefs.com/blog/law/constitutional-law/constitutional-law-keyed-to-stone/freedom-of-expression/brandenburg-v-ohio-2/

http://www.oyez.org/cases/2010-2019/2010/2010_09_751

Group 2. Freedom of Assembly

The local city government just passed a law not allowing groups of 15 or more people to meet. The government did so because they say they were worried about groups meeting and causing a disturbance. A local group has sued saying this violates their First Amendment right of assembly. They have asked you to defend them in the case.

Resources:

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1960-1969/1962/1962_86

http://www.ecasebriefs.com/blog/law/constitutional-law/constitutional-law-keyed-to-sullivan/rights-ancillary-to-freedom-of-speech/naacp-v-alabama-2/2/

Group 3 The Establishment Clause

A group of citizens is suing the local city government because they say that the government is establishing a religion in the local schools, which is forcing students to say a prayer before every meal. They want you to take their case and sue the city for breach of their First Amendment Right.

Resources:

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1990-1999/1999/1999_99_62

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1960-1969/1962/1962_142

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1970/1970_89

Group 4 Free Exercise

The local city government has ordered that all students must attend public schools. A group of private schools are suing the city saying that this violates their First Amendment rights because they want to be allowed to go to Christian schools. They have asked you to sue the city, for breaching their First Amendment right to free exercise of their religion.

http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/court/west_v_barn.html

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1971/1971_70_110/

Group 5 Second Amendment

The local city government has outlawed the possession of all handguns within city limits. A group of gun owners is suing the city for a breach of their Second Amendment rights. They have asked you to represent them in court.

Resources:

http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2007/2007_07_290

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1901-1939/1938/1938_696

Group 6 Search and Seizure

The local police conducted an illegal search of your client's home. The police apparently barged into your client's home and did not have a search warrant. He has asked you to sue the police department for violating his Fourth Amendment Rights.

Resources:

http://www.providence.edu/polisci/students/exclusionary_rule/c_summary.htm

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1901-1939/1913/1913_461

Group 7 Equal Protection

A group of employees has sued the local city for discriminating against them. They claim that the city will not higher them because they are too smart. They are suing the government saying it has violated their Fourteenth Amendment guarantee to equal protection. They have asked you try the case for them.

Resources

http://www.lawnix.com/cases/brown-board-education.html

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1970/1970_124

Group 8 Privacy

A citizen is suing the local police department because he says they violated his right to privacy when they tapped his phone and used a thermal imaging device to look in his home without a search warrant. He has asked you to try his case suing the police department.

http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2000/2000_99_8508

http://www.4lawnotes.com/showthread.php?t=1182

Group 9 Freedom of the Press

The local paper sued the city government for not allowing it to print a cartoon about a local politician. The paper wants to sue the city for violating its First Amendment freedom of the press.

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1973/1973_73_797

http://www.infoplease.com/us/supreme-court/cases/ar25.html

Evaluation

This is how your work will be evaluated.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Qualified 3	Exemplary 4
Required Elements	Several required elements were missing.	All but 1 of the required elements are included on the poster.	All required elements are included on the poster.	The poster includes all required elements as well as additional information.
Knowledge Gained	Student appears to have insufficient knowledge about the facts or processes used in the poster.	Student can accurately answer about 75% of questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.	Student can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.	Student can accurately answer all questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.
Use of Class Time	Did not use class time to focus on the project OR often distracted others.	Used some of the time well during each class period. There was some focus on getting the project done but occasionally distracted others.	Used time well during each class period. Usually focused on getting the project done and never distracted others.	Used time well during each class period. Focused on getting the project done. Never distracted others.
Preparedness	Student does not seem at all prepared to present.	The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.	Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.	Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.
Content	Does not seem to understand the topic very well.	Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of the topic.	Shows a full understanding of the topic.

Conclusion

After completing this webquest, you will have a better understanding of the Bill of Rights and the freedoms that it guarantees for all Americans. You will understand the cases in our nation's history, which have helped use to interpret these essential rights and incorporate them to include all Americans. You should also understand how the Supreme Court has helped maintain the balance between individual freedoms and societal needs.