LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read about landmark advances in civil liberties; evaluate the limits of legal protections in some common scenarios; describe how to keep yourself and others safe while advocating for your rights.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 5: Demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.

CASEL COMPETENCY: Responsible decision-making; self-management

KEY VOCAB

forum, peaceably, detain, intrusive, enhancing

Lesson Plan: Know Your Rights

People young and old are protected by the Constitution, but what seems fair to you in a certain situation might not always be legal. Read the article to learn how to safely self-advocate.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

What are my rights, and how can I stay safe while defending them?

 CLOSE-READING QUESTIONS

  1. Which actions are illegal at a protest? List at least three. Possible answers: destroying things; protesting on someone else’s property without their permission; hurting other people; blocking traffic; blocking entrances to government buildings.
  2. Is it legal for your coach to ask you to take a drug test? Explain. Yes. Two separate Supreme Court cases ruled that you can be required to take a drug test at school if you are a member of a sports team or other extracurricular activity.
  3. In 1982, what did the Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe decide? This legislation decided that undocumented immigrants have the right to a public school education, despite not being U.S. citizens.

 CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

  1. Do you think young people’s rights are generally respected? Why or why not? Answers will vary.
  2. Is there a rule or law you would change if you could? Explain. Answers will vary.
  3. How would you go about changing a rule or law you don’t like? Answers will vary.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

YOUTH RIGHTS

NHES 5

CASEL Competency: Responsible Decision-Making

Allow students to spend some time researching the NATIONAL YOUTH RIGHTS ASSOCIATION using the activity as a guide. Ask them  which parts of this movement they agree with, disagree with, or are not sure about. Then, hold a class discussion on the topic. (Click here to find this Skill Builder.)

EXTENSION ACTIVITY

NHES 5

CASEL Competency: Responsible decision-making

Have students consider HOW TO CHANGE A SCHOOL POLICY by researching information online. Ask them to use that information to create a how-to guide for changing school policy while defending their rights in the process. (Click here to find this Skill Builder.)

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