A newspaper receives documents that reveal not only a devastating secret the public needs to know, but also troop movements that could put American lives at risk: to publish or not to publish? Using background readings, discussion questions, and some prickly press scenarios, scholars consider the value of the freedom of the press. They also decide whether that right is an absolute or has limits.

Concepts

freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the american revolution, the alien and sedition acts, supreme court cases

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Use scenarios to simulate debate
• Develop reading comprehension skills using background reading and questions

Classroom Considerations

• Background information is far reaching and covers a lot of material that may require more in-depth exploration

Pros

• Discussion scenarios are provocative and engaging
• Resource includes necessary historical background for lesson to be effective

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.1.b SL.9-10.4 SL.11-12.1.b SL.11-12.4 RH.9-10.2 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.4