“Using the Trial of John Peter Zenger (1735)
to Teach About Freedom of Expression:
A Focus on Debate (5th grade)”

III. CONCLUSION

Observations and lessons learned from the Lesson Study:

1. It is important to give the students enough context of an historical time to help them understand what an event meant then.

• Instructional Materials did not have sufficient arguments against Zenger for the kids to make strong arguments against him.
  
  
• The kids needed even more historical context and have more time to do research: structures of English and Colonial govt. would have been helpful

2. Importance of explicit guided instruction

• Students over all were able to see multiple points of view even when they didn’t agree with both
  
  
• Students could refer back to Zenger in other contexts
  
  
• They incorporated the language ie liable/ concept of truth telling
  
  
• it was a good lead into the declaration and constitution curriculum

3. Students developed and practiced important team work skills

• Coming up with arguments
  
  
• Exchanging opposing arguments
  
  
• Addressing counterarguments
  
  
• Identifying and Restating the argument they were going to counter helped them address that specific point
  
  
• Making them prepare both sides and then assigning a side was important to making them understand both sides of the debate
  
  
• It helped the class to give the audience the responsibility of critiquing each debate team. They had to be active listeners

4.Life skills: following ground rules and procedures, critiquing each other, and listening skills.

Implications on future instruction:

• We would start teaching the language, procedures and thinking of debate earlier in the year
  
  
• Teach argument style writing earlier in the year- perhaps in the explorers