Mrs. Sinead Deans
I.S. 174
(Our Literacy
class just finished reading, Monster by Walter Dean Myers. In the novel, Steve Harmon is arrested in
connection with the murder of a store clerk.
The novel goes through the process of the arrest, being in prison and
the courtroom drama).
Introduction
Keeping our novel
in mind, Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, answer
the following questions in your head:
Quick Quiz:
- What happened to Steve Harmon when the
police came?
- Was it done lawfully?
- How would you feel if I went into your
book bag without your permission?
- Would it be against the law for me to
go in your book bag?
Scenario:
Help!
Help! Help! That is all you can hear
from the exit 2 stairwell. You go to see
what has happened and see a seventh grader getting jumped up by 2 eighth grade
boys. (He is really messed up!) You
immediately run to get Mr. Orzo and are able to identify the two bullies
(because you are such a good citizen).
When the two bullies are rounded up for questioning, by Mr. Orzo, one of
the boys keeps fiddling with his book bag.
Mr. Orzo then gets very frustrated because of the lack of cooperation
and takes the book bag and looks in it.
Upon looking, he finds a set of brass knuckles.
Now
you need to decide if the Mr. Orzo was within his rights to search the bag
without the student’s permission or was the constitutional rights of the
student violated. You will each be
assigned to be either the prosecutor or defense attorney. You will be using the case
Task
Using Compulegal and the web-sites listed below, you will
research the case and produce a written report summarizing the case and stating
your given position. You will then have
a debate to see which side should win.
Process
Use Compulegal to learn about
Prosecutors
& Defenders
- Review T.L.O. Visual
1.
- Read the Facts of
the case and answer the questions below in full sentences
·
What
was the freshman doing?
·
What
happened to her?
·
What
did the Principal do?
·
In
your opinion, was the Principal wrong?
·
What
did the local New Jersey Court think?
·
What
did the New Jersey Supreme Court think?
- Hand-out: “How to present your
reasoning” – This worksheet to help you understand and fill out the
Reasoning Page.
- The Reasoning worksheet will allow you
to state your specific case. Be
sure to give very in depth reasoning and examples.
- Go to the Arguments
Page. Here you will be able to
see opposing perspectives on this case.
- Review your reasoning page and make
sure you covered all the important points.
- Read the Supreme Courts
Decision.
- Read the Precedent
Page and pick at least one other case which supports your position.
- Using all the information you have
gathered write a 1-2 page argument in favor of your client.
- Once your paper is complete you will
start to pick out important points that you want to discuss during your
debate.
Resources
Evaluation
Student reports
will be evaluated using the following rubric:
Earned
a Grade of 4
q Shows thorough understanding of the topic
q Addresses all aspects of the task
q Shows ability to analyze, evaluate, compare and contrast
issues
q Richly supports topic with relevant facts, examples, and
details
q Shows ability to analyze, evaluate, compare and contrast
issues
q Richly supports topic with relevant facts, examples, and
details
q Presents a strong and well organized “ case”
Earned
a Grade of 3
q Shows a good understanding of the topic
q Addresses all aspects of the task
q Shows ability to analyze, evaluate issues
q Includes relevant facts, examples, and details, but not
support all aspects of the “case”
q Presents an organized “case”
Earned
a Grade of 2
q Presents satisfactory understanding of the topic
q Addresses most aspects of the task
q Able to analyze issues and events, but not in depth
q Uses some relevant facts, examples, and details
q Presents “case”, but not very organized
Earned a Grade of 1
¨
Shows
little understanding of topic
¨
Attempts
to address topic, but uses vague information
¨
Uses
little facts, examples, or details
¨
Cannot
present an acceptable “case”
Standards
English
Language Arts Standards
E1C – Read and comprehend informational
materials
E2A – Produce a report of information
Social Studies Standards
SS5 – Civics, Citizenship, and Government –
Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their
understanding of the necessity for establishing governments, the governmental
system of the United States and other nations; the United States Constitution,
the basic civic values of American constitutional democracy; and the roles,
rights and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation.
Conclusion
At the conclusion
of this unit the student should be able to:
ü
research using the given materials, such as, Compulegal, Ask-A-Legal Eagle, and landmark cases.
ü
write a detailed, knowledgeable case for their
client.
ü
conduct themselves in a debate.