Lesson Plan - Do Schools Need Dress Codes?

Take a Poll
Ask students to raise their hands if they think schools should have dress codes. Explain that they’ll now investigate both sides of the debate. 

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know. 

• petition
• interpreted

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them note key arguments on both sides. 

1. What do you think Brooklynn Hollaman hopes her signed petition will accomplish?
You can infer that Brooklynn hopes the signed petition will show school officials that many people agree with her—and will sway her district to change its dress code.
^{R.1 Inference}

2. Why does the article mention the U.S. Supreme Court? 
The article mentions the U.S. Supreme Court because the Court has weighed in on clothing and schools. It ruled in 1969 that schools can limit certain clothing choices. Anything that is likely to be disruptive or hurtful to others can be banned.
^{R.8 Author’s Purpose}

3. On the “No” side of the debate, why does the article note that dress codes can be confusing?
The article notes that dress codes can be confusing because some rules can be interpreted differently by different people.
^{R.3 Cause/Effect}

FEATURED SKILL: Opinion Writing
Use the Skill Builder “Seeing Both Sides” to have students draft an opinion paragraph on the debate question.
^{W.1 Opinion Writing}