Classroom Court Lesson: What if your students took a character to court?
This is something I’ve been mulling over ever since I created my Romeo and Juliet CSI activity. We are always reading about characters who get involved in conflict, make poor choices or avoid their responsibilities; what if students could use their classroom literature as a platform to learn about law and society?
Let’s face it – it’s important for teenagers to have a basic understanding of the law. This knowledge can help protect them from legal trouble and ensure they are treated fairly in any legal situation. Studying elements of crime can also help teenagers make informed decisions and avoid risky behaviors that could lead to criminal charges. Best of all, the topic can empower teenagers to advocate for themselves and others in their communities.
I have put together a quick-print graphic organizer for students to consider the crimes committed by a character they are studying. It allows them to think about the character’s actions before researching definitions of crimes. It’s yours for free, and you can download it here!
If you’d like a pack with more content… editable character names and prompts, closing argument sheets, jury verdict tables and definitions of criminal charges for students to refer to, take a look at the products below.