Angelo J. Pompano
The purpose of the following lessons is to teach reading, writing and speaking skills that are in alignment with the requirements for 8th grade students in the City of New Haven. I have chosen to present the material in a series of steps or related lessons that will include individual and small group work and ultimately a class effort resulting in an "amendment" to the Constitution. In addition to reading, writing, and speaking skills, the students will gain knowledge of the Constitution as well as insight to the democratic process.
Background information from this paper, readings from magazines and journals, and information acquired from the Internet and field trips should be presented to the students for several days to several weeks prior to the project of writing the amendment is begun. Once the teacher determines that the class understands the meaning of privacy, and what privacy "rights" are now covered by the Constitution or statute, as well as the technology involved, the project may be started.
I feel that these lessons are appropriate for the eighth grade. In higher-grade levels the teacher may decide to be more creative and allow the students to experiment with video cameras under supervision in appropriate and tasteful settings. Of course before doing this all permissions by parents and administration should be in place.