This is just a simple example of how we can make assignments more relative to student interests.

All elements of the supreme court case unit are covered and students are able to open up and have a little fun. Ultimately, students will retain this information much longer than the more conventional way.

It is important that we constantly think of assignments that are informative as well as fun so that we do not lose the interest of our students.

Relative Assignment or Relative Assignment or ProjectProject

Your choices are: A)

1. Make a video dealing with the supreme court case that your group has been assigned

OR

2. Make a power point presentation dealing with the supreme court case that your group has been assigned.

B) You and your group will present your project to the

class on (date)

Supreme Court Case Supreme Court Case ProjectProject

T.L.O vs New Jersey

VIDEO PROJECT EXAMPLE

PowerPoint project example:

<- law and order theme sound clip

T.L.O. is a fourteen year old girl accused of smoking in the girls’ bathroom at her high school.

Since smoking was a violation of school rules, she was sent to the Assistant Vice Principal’s office.

The Assistant Vice Principal searched her bag and found marijuana and other drug equipment such as a pipe, plastic bags, a large amount of money, the names of two students who owed her money, and letters that implicated T.L.O. in marijuana dealing.

T.L.O thought that the searching of her bag violated her Fourth amendment rights.

Since the Fourth Amendment protects a citizen against unreasonable searches and seizures, she thought that the search of her bag was unreasonable.

The final vote was 6 to 3, in favor of New Jersey. The Court decided that the search did not violate

her amendment rights. Suspicion was aroused due to the presence of

rolling papers, commonly used for smoking marijuana, in her purse so the search was reasonable.

The Court ruled that school officials do not have to have a probable cause to conduct searches.

Also, the Court ruled that officials are allowed to search a student as long as “there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated/is violating a law or school rule.”

Post TLO ruling

Further RulingFurther Ruling

This allows school officials to act as a parent or guardian allowing the search and seizure of student property based off of suspicion due to supreme courts ruling in T.L.O vs. New Jersey.

Related Sources:

http://www.ourcourts.org/flashgames/argument_wars-v1.1.1/html/game.html?caseId=New_Jersey_v_TLO

Click on the link above (or copy and paste) to play Argument Wars, a fun and educational game dealing with the New Jersey v. T.L.O. case.

Ultimately, this allows kids to use their creativity while learning the content. Kids will enjoy a project like this much more than a simple worksheet.

Try to have some fun with your students! Make it interesting, Make it fun!