Ruth M. Wilson
Materials
worksheets, chalkboard, pen, pencil
Procedure
The teacher will introduce the word “Due Process” by writing it on the chalkboard. The teacher will elicit answers from the class as to what they think the word might mean. After discussion, teacher will pass out a worksheet with a short definition of the meaning of Due Process. The students are to read, then discuss the definition of the worksheet with a partner.
Sample Lesson I
:
Due Process
Due Process simply means a fair procedure for each and every person. It is now the law that schools should use fair procedures with students and their parents in all serious disciplinary matters. It is a law that establishes limits of power against
arbitrary deprivation
of life, liberty, or property. The 5th
Amendment
(1791) to the Constitution established this protection with the words: “Nor shall any person be deprived of his life, liberty, or property with out due process of law. The 14th Amendment (1867)
extended
the protection to cover acts of state governments. (The
procedural aspects
of due process are not
fixed
or
technical
, nor do they include any
specific
right beyond prior notice and a
fair hearing
.)
Sample Lesson I
:
Write a short answer to each question below. You may look at the worksheet when doing this assignment. Please find the sentence that best answers the question.
-
1. In you own words, what does the Due Process Law mean?
-
2 Name two parts of the Due Process Law.
-
3. Why do you think due process is very important?
-
__________
Some people think Due Process gets in the way of administrators doing their job. Below are two sides of this question. Decide which one you believe by circling “for” or “against” in the sentence below.
For
Due Process: Everyone, rich, poor, administrator, parent, student has a right to it. Also,. if someone is deprived of it, he or she may contact a lawyer.
Against
Due Process: Administrators and teachers are busy and do not have the time to hear your side of the incident. Therefore, you are suspended for 3 days because you were involved in the problem even though you haven’t given you side of the story.
-
__________
Please circle one or the other and complete the sentence.
I am
for
or
against
the Due Process Law because
-
__________
-
(note: Each word that is underlined in the above selection can be used for vocabulary enrichment.)