Zeb Perrin Patriot Act Lesson Plan
-The Patriot Act: Good or Bad? Title: Significance of the Patriot Act Big Picture/Rationale: This lesson fits in nicely with the direction and flow of class. First, the lesson relates to the current chapter in class discussing the Constitution. It can connect the past with the present, showing history never truly goes away. As it is a current event topic (recent legislation passed) it will show the students the importance and relevance of such material. It will also allow for an easy transition into student’s own current event topics. Big Ideas: What is good about the Patriot Act? What might be bad? Objective: I want the students to be able to see the connection between current legislation being passed and the Constitution/Bill of Rights. Students will be able to create their own opinion about the Patriot Act and whether or not it has a positive or negative effect. Students will be able to discuss whether or not the think the Patriot Act is a violation of the Bill of Rights.
-OutlineOpening Activity: The lesson will start with the political cartoon given at the beginning of class (on the projector screen). Students will then have roughly 3-5 minutes to analyze and predict what the cartoon is conveying. After interpreting the political cartoon on their own, students will share with their “neighbor.” This will be my opening activity as it will get the students thinking about the material and getting the “creative juices” flowing. Hopefully this political cartoon will engage the students with the Patriot Act material. Main Activity: Students will then be broken into small groups (groups of 4-6) and be given a list of main points from the Patriot Act. In the meantime, a select few amendments will be set up on the projector. Students will then collaborate together to relate the “main points of the Patriot Act” with the amendments that will be on the projector. Essentially, the students will be comparing and contrasting amendments (from the Bill of Rights) with aspects of the Patriot Act. Students will then work through the seven different scenarios given, sharing their opinions (fair or unfair) and preparing at least one group answer to share with the class. Students will read through the scenarios and write down their opinions on each topic. Closing Activity: A group discussion will be held at the end of the lesson. Students will be asked to share their opinions about the different scenarios, and I will lead a prompting discussion about the importance of each one (including positives and negatives).
Zeb Perrin Patriot Act Lesson Plan Materials/Supplies: The attached handouts (worksheet and Patriot Act main points). Projection screen- to show the political cartoon and Bill of Rights amendments. Assessment: The main assessment will be the discussion in each group as well as our large class discussion. I will be able to check whether or not students are drawing connections between the Bill of Rights and the Patriot Act.
-ScenariosSituation 1: Government officials of the school have created a list of “suspicious books.” These books fit the criteria of possibly creating an act of terrorism. Before checking out any of these books, students would need parental permission. Also, the school has full range to search the student’s locker when they check out a “suspicious book.” Situation 2: The government can create strict codes for video game regulations. Games that appear overly violent, promote terrorism or killing would be temporarily restricted on the market and would be prohibited. Situation 3: The government has created a terrorism prevention committee within the school. Every teacher would be required
-Opinions-
Zeb Perrin Patriot Act Lesson Plan to report ‘suspicious activity ‘including; a science experiment that “explodes”, the theme of an essay that “violence”, “suspicious talk” or unusual clothing being worn by a student. Situation 4: All student exchange programs end immediately. Any foreign students currently visiting this country would immediately be returned to their home country and vice versa. Future communication between foreign students and U.S. students would be temporarily stopped. Situation 5: In order to safety within the school a policy would be put in place that would limit access to public and private schools to verified students and staff. Public performances (plays, band etc.) and sports activities would temporarily be put on hold. Any programs that relied on volunteer tutors, guest speakers, or parent involvement are suspended as well. Students and staff must undergo a “check-in” each day. Situation 6: The U.S. government would create a list of “harmful” movies that promote violence or terrorism. These movies would be temporarily banned, and students under the ages of 18 are strictly prohibited from seeing them in any way. Situation 7: Using technology similar to a telephone wiretap, agents would be able to gather information about someone's communication and habits of accessing information on the Internet, without the person’s knowledge and without a search warrant. Information gathered could then be used in seeking further search or arrest warrants.
-Ten Highlights of the Patriot ActGovernment can- access personal information, such as: medical, mental health, financial, and education records. 2. Government can more easily conduct secret searches and telephone and Internet surveillance. 3. Government can obtain library records, and prohibiting librarians telling people the spying is taking place. 4. Government gave the power to label groups, including religious and political organizations, as “terrorist organizations.”
Zeb Perrin Patriot Act Lesson Plan 5. Government can jail individuals indefinitely (no end in sight) on suspicion alone. 6. Government allowed males of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent to be profiled as potential terrorists, without any links to illegal behavior. 7. The Government granting the Attorney General the power to deport foreigners—even if they are not accused of committing a crime. 8. Granting the Attorney General the power to jail citizens—designated as “enemy combatants”—without access to an attorney fair trial. 9. Allowed eavesdropping on confidential communications between lawyers and their clients who are in federal custody. 10. Allowed agents to conduct so-called “sneak and peek” or “black bag” searches, in which the subject of the search warrant is not notified that his property will be or has been searched.
-Significant Amendments1st Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting The free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of The people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of Grievances.
4th Amendment The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
5th Amendment No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any
Zeb Perrin Patriot Act Lesson Plan person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb, nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
6th Amendment In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed; which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of council for his defense.
9th Amendment Protection of Rights not specifically enumerated in the constitution. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.