The+Constitution

= **The United States Constitution** =

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/comm/free_speech/tinker. //Tinker v. Des Moine//s

http://www.brownat50.org/brownChrono/BrownHistory.html //Brown v. Board of Education//

http://www.streetlaw.org/en/landmark/cases/plessy_v_ferguson //Plessy v. Ferguson// = = = = = **[|So You Think You Can Argue]** =

**I Can't Wear What?**
==== Students meet Ben Brewer and find out what happened the day he decided to wear his favorite band t-shirt to school in violation of a new dress code rule. Students read a summary of a Supreme Court case to figure out the "rule" that applies to Ben's problem. This lesson lays the groundwork for students to write two short persuasive essays- one arguing each side of the issue. Click on the link below the link to the icivics lesson plan. ====

= **[|I Can't Wear What?]** = = =

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=**Citizenship Skills**=

Good citizenship skills include staying informed, solving problems, or making decisions, and taking action. Every citizen can find ways to build citizenship skills. By showing respect for the law and for the rights of others in your daily life, you can promote democracy. You can also work to change conditions in your community to make sure all citizens experience freedom and justice.


 * How Do I Stay Informed?**

Americans sometimes feel that they have access to too much information. It may seem overwhelming. Even so, you should stay informed on issues that affect your life. Staying informed gives you the information you need to make wise decisions and helps you find ways to solve problems.


 * Watch, Listen, and Read**

The first step in practicing good citizenship is to know how to find information that you need. Sources of information include broadcast (TV) and print media (newspapers) and the Internet. Public officials and civic organizations (Boys Scouts of America, American Cancer Society, American Civil Liberties Union, etc.) are also good sources for additional information.


 * Evaluate**

As you become informed, you will need to make judgments about the accuracy of your news sources. You must also be aware of those sources’ points of view and biases. (A bias is a judgment formed without knowing all the facts.) You should determine if you need more information. If you do, then decide where to find it. After gathering information, you may be ready to form an opinion or a plan of action to solve a problem.


 * Communicate**

To bring about change in their communities, active citizens may need to contact public officials. In today’s world, making contact is easy. You can reach most public officials by telephone, voice mail, fax, or letter. Many public officials also have Internet pages or e-mail that encourage input from the public.


 * How Do You Make Wise Decisions?**

Civic life involves making important decisions. As a voter, whom should you vote for? As a juror, should you find the defendant guilty or not guilty? As an informed citizen, should you support or oppose a proposed government action? Unlike decisions about which video to rent, civic decisions cannot be made by a process as easy as tossing a coin. Instead, you should use a problem-solving approach like the one shown in the chart below. Decision-making won’t always proceed directly from step to step. Sometimes it’s necessary to backtrack a little. For example, you may get to the “Analyze Information” step and realize that you don’t have enough information to analyze. Then you can go back a step and gather more information.


 * Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Process**

Decide what the main issues are and what your goal is.
 * 1.** **Identify the Problem**

Get to know the basics of the problem. Find out as much as possible about the issues
 * 2.** **Gather Information**

Look at the information and determine what it reveals about solving the problem
 * 3.** **Analyze the Information**

Think of as many ways as possible to solve the problem. Don’t be afraid to include ideas that others might think are unacceptable.
 * 4.** **Consider Options**

Choose the solution you believe will best solve the problem and help you reach your goal.
 * 5.** **Choose a Solution**

Take action or plan to take action on a chosen solution.
 * 6.** **Implement the Solution**

Review the results of putting your solution into action. Did the solution work?
 * 7.** **Evaluate the Solution**

Across the country many young people have come up with ways to make their communites better places to live. Thirteen-year-old Aubyn Burnside of Hickory, North Carolina, is just one example. Aybyn felt sorry for foster children she saw moving their belongings in plastic trash bags. She founded Suitcases for Kids. This program provides used luggage for foster children who are moving from one home to another. Her program has been adopted by other young people in several states.
 * How Do You Participate in Your Community?**

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