Freedom of speech is not always free. Scholars investigate how the First Amendment provides for the right to express opinions. Through the court case Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, they analyze free speech using primary documents—and hopefully gain a better appreciation for this right. 

Concepts

freedom of speech, the bill of rights, supreme court cases, newspapers

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Obtain several different copies of school newspapers as examples of what kind of journalism is being discussed
• Invite a guest speaker, such as a newspaper editor, to come talk about the First Amendment
• Have the current principal talk to the class about media that is produced at school and what their role is in editing that material

Classroom Considerations

• Set up the classroom like an actual court 
• Three parts of the case (courts, prosecution, defense) should have the same number of participants in the group

Pros

• Excellent chance to hold a debate
• Great opportunity to role-play as a courtroom
• Mix of both government and history in the same activity

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.3 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.3