Using NewsHour Extra Feature Stories

Overview: NewsHour Extra feature stories can help students identify and interpret key issues in current events. This activity anticipates one class period, but the follow-up essay might be assigned as homework or in another period.

Warm Up: Use initiating questions to introduce the topic and find out how much your students know.

Main Activity: Have students read NewsHour Extra's feature story and answer the questions on the reading comprehension handout.

Discussion: Use discussion questions to encourage students to think about how the issues outlined in the story affect their lives and express and debate different opinions.

Follow-up: Students can write a 500-word editorial on the topic expressing their views and send it to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org] for possible publication.

Evaluation: Students are graded on their answers to reading comprehension questions and/or their editorial.

Story: South Dakota Passes Most Restrictive Abortion Law, 03/08/06
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june06/abortion_3-08.html

Initiating Questions:

1. What is Roe v. Wade?

2. What is the difference between state and federal law?

3. How does a case get to the Supreme Court?

Reading Comprehension Questions: (click here for printout)

1. What significant event occurred this week in regards to abortion?

South Dakota has passed a law banning nearly all abortions, a move many say sets up a court fight to challenge the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

Gov. Mike Rounds, a Republican, signed legislation Monday that would make it a crime for doctors to perform abortions, including in cases of rape or incest, unless the procedure was necessary to save the woman's life.

2. Why did South Dakota lawmakers decide to create this abortion legislation now?

In crafting the law, legislators said a new Supreme Court may be more receptive to the antiabortion movement and overturn Roe v. Wade, legislation that legalizes abortion.

"As you know, Justice Roberts and Justice Alito were just favorably placed on that board. There is still another chance that President Bush will have to place another justice on that bench. I think it's time to pass House Bill 1215 and protect the lives of the unborn," pro-life Democratic state Senator Julie Bartling said in the lead up to the vote.

3. When is the new law expected to take effect? What might impact that?

The law will take effect July 1, but it is likely a federal judge will suspend it during legal challenges, which could take years.

Planned Parenthood of South Dakota, which operates the state's only abortion clinic in Sioux Falls, has pledged to challenge the law through a federal lawsuit or a state referendum.

According to South Dakota law, if opponents of the measure collect 16,728 signatures of registered voters in the next three months the law will be delayed and a vote will be held on the issue in November.

4. What restrictions exist in the current South Dakota abortion laws?

South Dakota is already one of the most restrictive states in the country to get an abortion.

Existing law mandates a 24-hour waiting period and counseling prior to the procedure. Girls under the age of 16 must notify a parent.

No local doctors will perform abortions at the Sioux Falls clinic, so once a week a physician from Minnesota flies into the state to perform the procedure.

5. Why don't all abortion opponents support South Dakota's new law?

Not all abortion opponents support South Dakota's new law. If a case goes to the Supreme Court and the justices uphold Roe, it would be a big blow to pro-life movement.

They think a better strategy to limit abortions is to create restrictions such as parental and husband notification requirements that are acceptable to more Americans.

"We're obviously in favor of a ban on abortion; that is our ultimate goal. But we are concerned about the timing," Patty Skain, executive director of Missouri Right to Life, told the Associated Press.

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. According to the article, not all abortion opponents agree with the tactics being used to limit abortions in South Dakota. Explain their reasoning. Do you agree or disagree with them? Why or why not?

2. Governor Mike Rounds wrote in a statement a quote about society. Do you agree with his quote? Why or why not? Explain your answer. Are there other issues to which his reasoning could apply?

"In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless in our society. I agree with them."

3. Do you think this law will cause the Supreme Court to reconsider Roe vs. Wade? How do you think it will rule? As a class, create a few scenarios and then vote on the one you think will come true.

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.