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Lesson Plan in the Students' Free Speech Rights Complaint
Do Students Have to Say the
Pledge of Allegiance?
Purpose
The purpose of this lesson plan is to explore the issue of
whether government can require public school students to stand for
the pledge while in school?
Grade
9-12
Objectives
Students should be able to:
- Identify relevant provisions of the U.S. Constitution and the Florida Constitution
- Explain how these provisions apply to this case
- Identify examples or situations where opportunities may arise for students to express themselves during patriotic or symbolic activities in schools.
Materials
1. Text of the U.S. Constitution:
First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law ... 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."
2. ACLU Briefing Paper: Freedom of Expression
3. Sybil Liberty Position Paper: Students' Rights to Freedom of Expression
Activities
1. Ask students whether they have participated in similar patriotic rituals in school.
2. Divide the class into groups; assign each of the groups either a pro or con position as it relates to a particular patriotic ritual, namely standing up for the pledge, singing the national anthem, or pausing for a moment of silence.
3. Representatives from each group would present their views in the form of a skit.
4. Following the presentations, invite students from each group to discuss their reactions/feelings towards participating in these events, and if they have ever considered the consequences for not participating.
5. For homework, have the class compile a list of other symbolic acts that might be viewed as speech under the law.
