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Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support. FOR THE WEEK OF OCT. 08, 2007 Freedom of Speech Week is timely reminder of democracy at workWe're so accustomed to free speech, we don't always recognize its value. Send pupils into the paper to hunt for comments about a public official, the government, courts, schools or a business that could be censored in an undemoctratic system.
Freedom of speech covers images as well as words. Ask students to look for an editorial page cartoon with sharply pointed criticism protected by the First Amendment.
All freedoms carry responsibilities, and journalists work under legal and voluntary guidelines that don't permit everything to be printed. Invite examples of "untouchable" details or topics for a classroom list.
Schools, libraries, media outlets, civic groups and others next week mark Freedom of Speech Week to celebrate a cornerstone of democracy. This relatively new observance from Oct. 15-21 is organized by a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., called The Media Institute. It works to raise awareness of issues involving the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Free speech is "the language of America" and "defines our American way of life," sponsors say at www.freespeechweek.org. The institute and other advocates stress the need to defend that democratic principle against efforts to limit unpopular political, social or religious views. Several free speech challenges made news recently.
A lively national debate two weeks ago pivoted around whether Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, deserved to speak at Columbia University while visiting New York for a United Nations appearance. The school's president -- a First Amendment scholar -- resisted pressure from some students, faculty members, alumni, politicians, the public and media commentators to cancel the invitation. First Amendment excerpt: "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." Editorial says: "Hate-filled rhetoric by any elected leader is unacceptable and downright painful. But that doesn't mean Americans should be so eager to silence [Iran's president] or any other voice we don't like. That's not the way we do things here in the United States, where freedom of speech is one of our hallowed rights. That precious right cannot be preserved by denying it to others, no matter how obnoxious their views may be." – Times Argus of Barre, Vt. Advocate of limits says: "There's a point where they don't have the right to say the things they've been saying. The university should begin drawing a line and not keep covering everything with freedom of speech. We challenge the university to take a stand about . . . what the difference is between freedom of speech and hate speech, fighting words and violent speech." -- Gabriela Alcazar, president of Latino student group at Michigan State University, opposing anti-immigration speakers hosted this fall by Young Americans for Freedom Front Page Talking Points is written by
Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2024
Front Page Talking Points Archive►Schools vs. phones: Bans surge to keep focus on learning rather than screens ►Election drama: Democratic convention will pick a nominee as Biden ends campaign against Trump ►President Biden, 81, resists calls to let a younger Democrat run against Donald Trump ►Turning point: Supreme Court says presidents have 'absolute immunity' for official acts ►First Biden-Trump debate of 2024 airs Thursday from Georgia ►Health experts monitor the jump of bird flu to cows and a few farm hands, but see no wide risk ►Negro Leagues stars from a bygone era gain new standing in Major League Baseball records ►Justice Samuel Alito adds two flags to Supreme Court ethics storms |
Step onto any school campus and you'll feel its energy. Each school is turbocharged with the power of young minds, bodies, hearts and spirits.
Here on the Western Slope, young citizens are honing and testing their skills to take on a rapidly changing world. Largely thanks to technology, they are in the midst of the most profound seismic shift the world has ever seen.
Perhaps no time in our history has it been more important to know what our youth are thinking, feeling and expressing.
The Sentinel is proud to spotlight some of their endeavors. Read on to see how some thoroughly modern students are helping learners of all ages connect with notable figures of the past.
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