Description
Includes:
- The Press vs. The Pentagon — Classroom video with Teacher Discussion Guide
- The Pentagon Goes to War on the Press (Again) — Article, Student Worksheet, and Teacher Guide
Overview
Help students understand the tension between press freedom and national security with this two-part lesson bundle. Through both a short video and a current-events reading, students explore how the Pentagon’s recent policies mirror the historic Pentagon Papers case and test the limits of the First Amendment.
Perfect for journalism, media literacy, civics, or U.S. history classes, this bundle provides multiple ways to analyze, discuss, and write about the role of a free press in democracy.
What You’ll Receive
1. The Press vs. The Pentagon (Video + Guide)
A short, classroom-ready video lesson that introduces key issues of government secrecy, media responsibility, and the legal boundaries of press freedom. Includes a teacher discussion guide with background notes and prompts.
2. The Pentagon Goes to War on the Press (Article + Worksheet + Guide)
A nonfiction reading that connects today’s Pentagon policy to the 1971 Pentagon Papers case. Comes with a student worksheet (comprehension and discussion questions) and a teacher background guide.
3. Extension & Enrichment Activities
Includes writing prompts, debate topics, and comparison ideas that encourage students to connect the past to current events.
How To Use This Bundle
- Begin with the video to introduce the historical and ethical context.
- Follow with the article lesson to analyze the modern implications.
- Use the combined discussion questions or extension prompts for deeper critical thinking and assessment.
- Ideal for classroom discussion, Socratic seminars, media literacy units, or current events analysis.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lessons, students will:
- Explain the constitutional foundations of press freedom.
- Compare the Pentagon Papers case to modern press-government conflicts.
- Evaluate ethical questions about government secrecy and the public’s right to know.
- Defend a position on the limits of press freedom in a democracy.
Details
- Format: Printable PDFs (article + video guide), video
- Length: Approx. 3–4 class periods total
- Target Grades: 9–12
- Suitable for Journalism, Civics, Government, Media Literacy, or AP U.S. History
Bundle: Press Freedom in Focus: Video + Article Lesson
Highlights
Save even more with bundles
Description
Includes:
- The Press vs. The Pentagon — Classroom video with Teacher Discussion Guide
- The Pentagon Goes to War on the Press (Again) — Article, Student Worksheet, and Teacher Guide
Overview
Help students understand the tension between press freedom and national security with this two-part lesson bundle. Through both a short video and a current-events reading, students explore how the Pentagon’s recent policies mirror the historic Pentagon Papers case and test the limits of the First Amendment.
Perfect for journalism, media literacy, civics, or U.S. history classes, this bundle provides multiple ways to analyze, discuss, and write about the role of a free press in democracy.
What You’ll Receive
1. The Press vs. The Pentagon (Video + Guide)
A short, classroom-ready video lesson that introduces key issues of government secrecy, media responsibility, and the legal boundaries of press freedom. Includes a teacher discussion guide with background notes and prompts.
2. The Pentagon Goes to War on the Press (Article + Worksheet + Guide)
A nonfiction reading that connects today’s Pentagon policy to the 1971 Pentagon Papers case. Comes with a student worksheet (comprehension and discussion questions) and a teacher background guide.
3. Extension & Enrichment Activities
Includes writing prompts, debate topics, and comparison ideas that encourage students to connect the past to current events.
How To Use This Bundle
- Begin with the video to introduce the historical and ethical context.
- Follow with the article lesson to analyze the modern implications.
- Use the combined discussion questions or extension prompts for deeper critical thinking and assessment.
- Ideal for classroom discussion, Socratic seminars, media literacy units, or current events analysis.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lessons, students will:
- Explain the constitutional foundations of press freedom.
- Compare the Pentagon Papers case to modern press-government conflicts.
- Evaluate ethical questions about government secrecy and the public’s right to know.
- Defend a position on the limits of press freedom in a democracy.
Details
- Format: Printable PDFs (article + video guide), video
- Length: Approx. 3–4 class periods total
- Target Grades: 9–12
- Suitable for Journalism, Civics, Government, Media Literacy, or AP U.S. History
