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Virginia Religious Freedom: 20th Century Cases

Persistent Issue:
What should society do to promote fairness and justice for people who live within its jurisdiction?
Central Question:
What is the proper relationship between government and religion?
Topic:
Freedom of Religion
Course:
U.S. History
Strategy:
Response Groups
Grade Level:
7
Lessons in this unit:
  1. Religious Freedom: Patrick Henry
  2. Virginia Religious Freedom: 20th Century Cases
  3. Virginia Religious Freedom: Billboard Activity

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NCSS Standards

  • Theme 6: Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people create, interact with, and change structures of power, authority, and governance.
  • Theme 10: Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of the ideals, principles, and practices of citizens in a democratic republic.

National History Standards

  • Era 9 – Postwar United States (1945-early 1970s)
    • Standard 4 – The struggle for racial and gender equality and for the extension of civil liberties.
  • Era 10 – Contemporary United States (1968 to the present)
    • Standard 2 – Major social and economic development sin contemporary America.

Alabama Course of Study

7th Grade Civics

  • Explain the importance of juvenile, adult, civil, and criminal laws within the judicial system of the United states.
  • Compare changes in social and economic conditions in the United States during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
  • Defend how the United States can be improved by individual and collective participation in civic and community activities.
Lesson Video
Teacher Reflection

1.
Clip 1: Beginning to Analyze Court Cases

Ms. Threatt explains the activity to the students, and works with students to begin to analyze several religious freedom cases using a case analysis scaffold. Ms. Threatt then reflects on modifications she would make to the small group activity based on the feedback from this implementation.
Lesson Video

2.
Clip 2: Use of Scaffolding to Facilitate Case Analysis

Ms. Threatt explains to students how to use a chart to assist them with gathering information about each of the court cases. She then discusses the purpose of the chart, and how effective she felt the chart was in assisting students with doing case analysis.Finally, she reviews the cases with students as a whole-group activity.
Lesson Video

3.
Clip 3: Class Discussion of Cases

Ms. Threatt leads a large-group discussion of the religious freedom cases with her students. She then reflects on the fact that the group discussion was not very effective, and that she needed to provide more support for students during the discussion in order for them to better understand the cases - particularly in assisting students with thinking more evaluatively. She concludes by discussing some of the challenges she will face in enhancing students' understanding of the cases.

Opelika Middle School

Opelika Middle School in Opelika, Alabama serves approximately 1100 students in grades 6-8. Classes meet on a 50 minute rotating schedule.

Teacher Pre Interview

Lesson Video

1.
Clip 1: Pre-Interview Lesson Description

Ms. Threatt provides a description of the lesson she will be teaching. She discusses the topic of the lesson and the overall goals of the lesson.
Lesson Video

2.
Clip 2: Pre-Interview Students and Setting

Ms. Threatt provides a description of the students participating in the lesson, and unique aspects of the classroom and/or school.
Lesson Video

3.
Clip 3: Pre-Interview Curricular Context

Ms. Threatt discusses how this particular lesson fits within her overall curriculum.
Lesson Video

4.
Clip 4: Pre-Interview Standards Addressed

Ms. Threatt provides a description of the state and national standards addressed by this lesson.
Lesson Video

5.
Clip 5: Pre-Interview Unique Aspects of Lesson

Ms. Threatt discusses some of the segments of this lesson that she believes will be most interesting to viewers. She also discusses aspects of the lesson that she is particularly excited about.
Lesson Video

6.
Clip 6: Pre-Interview Challenges in Planning Lesson

Ms. Threatt discusses challenges faced in designing and implementing this type of lesson.
Lesson Video

7.
Clip 7: Pre-Interview Evidence of Effectiveness

Ms. Threatt discusses why she believes the approach exemplified in this lesson is effective with students.
Lesson Video

8.
Clip 8: Pre-Interview Preparation Necessary for Lesson

Ms. Threatt describes any equipment, materials, or preparation needed to implement this lesson. She also discusses prerequisite knowledge and/or skills needed by students in order for them to be successful with the lesson activities.
Lesson Video

9.
Clip 9: Pre-Interview Assessing Student Achievement

Ms. Threatt discusses her plans for assessing student achievement during the lesson.

Teacher Post Interview

Lesson Video

1.
Clip 1: Post-Interview Overview of Lesson

Ms. Threatt provides a overview of what occurred during the lesson.
Lesson Video

2.
Clip 2: Post-Interview Scaffolding Used During Lesson

Ms. Threatt discusses the types of scaffolding support she provided to students throughout the lesson.
Lesson Video

3.
Clip 3: Post-Interview Student Assessment

Ms. Threatt describes how she assessed student achievement during lesson activities.
Lesson Video

4.
Clip 4: Post-Interview Advice for Other Teachers

Ms. Threatt provides advice and suggestions for other teachers who would like to implement this type of lesson with their students.
Lesson Video

5.
Clip 5: Post-Interview Modifications to Lesson

Ms. Threatt discusses modifications she would make to this lesson prior to delivering it again.
Lesson Video

6.
Clip 6: Post-Interview Assisting Students with Special Needs

Ms. Threatt discusses any adaptations she may need to make to the lesson to assist students with special needs who may be in her class.
Lesson Video

7.
Clip 7: Post-Interview Next Steps

Ms. Threatt discusses the next set of activities planned for her students.