Justice By the People
Students will learn about the history of trials and the value of the right to a trial by jury. Students
will learn about the history and value of the right to a trial by jury through classroom discussion and
participation in several classroom trials.
The right to a trial by jury is deeply rooted in both our history and our legal system. All citizens hold
the right to have their cases decided not by government officials but by their peers within the
community. This basic principle is secured by most state constitutions and by the Sixth and Seventh
Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. In contrast to other countries, where judges alone often
decide issues, juries help balance the scales of justice. Juries also keep law in the United States from
drifting too far from the will and conscience of the people. When juries speak, Winston Churchill
once wrote, "law flows from the people."
FROGS & WORMS
WORMS & FROGS: Fifth graders will study the importance that worms and frogs play in balancing
our ecosystem. We will learn about various frogs around the world and how worms help keep our
planet healthy. We will culminate our study with a dissection of a worm and a bullfrog.
http://www.allaboutfrogs.org
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonplans/americanjustice
THE UNITED STATES VS. JOHN WILKES BOOTH -The students will participate as prosecutors,
defense
attorneys, defendants or witnesses as we create/recreate the trial of the assasination of President
Lincoln. In reality, John Wilkes Booth died of gunshot wounds during an attempt to capture him
but for our mock trial purposes, we have hypothesized that Booth was captured and lived to
stand trial. Students use higher-level thinking skills to plan their strategies and represent the
best possible case for their side.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wilkes_Booth
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/lincolnconspiracy/booth.html
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USACWbooth.htm