As the nation moves on following the recent events in Newtown, Connecticut, teachers of older students may wish to respond to public discussion of gun ownership and access. High school teachers of civics and law may want to consider using or adapting Unit 2: The Legal System in Action in the Foundations in Law course. The unit focuses on school safety and the creation and impact of the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994, which ultimately led to sweeping zero tolerance policies in schools across the nation. Students prepare for and host a community forum that brings together a variety of stakeholders around the issue of school safety and choosing responses that will be most effective. Teachers may find some of the resources both relevant and compelling in the wake of recent events.
The curriculum is free, but registration is required.