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Lesson Plan
Media Smarts

Cyberbullying and the Law

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Research, role-playing, and reflection are the three “R’s” that form the basis of an examination of Cyberbullying. Although based on the Criminal Code of Canada, the included scenarios and case studies provide valuable resources for a...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Satire or Slander

For Students 11th - 12th
Encourage your young learners to analyze and think critically about how media portrays people or events. Upper graders analyze a political cartoon depicting President Obama as a Muslim and the First Lady as a revolutionary. Guided by...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are the benefits of having a Free Press?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine why actual malice is necessary in libel cases. Students demonstrate the importance of a third party in libel and slander cases. They analyze why a free press is essential in American society.
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Article
FNO Press

Fno: Keeping It Legal Education Web Sites Management

For Students 9th - 10th
A must have for any teacher using the internet in the classroom! Questions are answered about what may be used legally by the teacher and students. Links to other sites also provided.
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Handout
University of Hawai'i

University of Hawaii: Business Editors Ethics Code

For Students 9th - 10th
The official ethics code of The Society of American Business Editors and Writers provided for by the University of Hawaii.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Defamation

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn what defamation is, and explore the legal differences between slander and libel. Other concepts include "false light" and "absolute privilege." Also looks at legal defenses used and defamation laws in other countries.
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

For Students 9th - 10th
Selected (8) reading passages (grades 9-11) to pair with "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen. Elizabeth Bennet clashes with the proud Mr. Darcy, but soon questions her rush to judgement - in this classic commentary on love, propriety,...
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Handout
Other

The Ethical Spectacle: Libel and Slander

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a brief definition of libel and slander.
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Primary
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez Project: Masson v. New Yorker Magazine, Inc. (1991)

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This summary examines the impact of the 1991 US Supreme Court decision regarding the attribution of quotes to sources used in journalistic articles. Includes links to the full case, audio files, and how the justices voted on the case.
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Handout
Other

Free Advice Legal: What Is Defamation?

For Students 9th - 10th
The term defamation is defined and briefly discussed here. More information can be accessed from this resource on libel and slander.
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Handout
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Defamation, Libel, and Slander

For Students 9th - 10th
An introduction to the legal definition of defamation.