Connie Reinhart
Chinook Elementary
Anchorage AK
89086
INTRODUCTION: I have been an educator for 17 years and over the years I have seen many children go through the agony of divorce. I have always been concerned about the child and what he/she goes through in relationship to the court system.
In 1987, I personally went through a year long custody battle over the well-being of my 2 1/2 year old child. I was overwhelmed with what I encountered as an adult and realized how frightening it must be for a child thrown into this legal system.
I shared my feelings with my attorney and she suggested I do a law unit with my students. She was very helpful in giving me names of people who may be guest speakers to my classrooms. She also suggested topics in the areas which would be beneficial to the children. Thus, my unit on seeing the court system through the eyes of a child was developed.
The book I refer to which references "cases" is (I used small portions to introduce concepts to my students) CASES, A Resource Guide for Teaching About the Law, R. Murray Thomas, University of California (Santa Barbara), 1987, Paul V. Murray, Educational Consultant.
FIRST LESSON: (60 minutes)
Goal: To help children understand that law is a tool that provides for the protection of our individual rights and at the same time makes it possible for groups to live together.
Discussion: What is law? What are its functions? How does it work? What are its limitations?
Teacher Directed: Definitions of Criminal Law (i.e. stealing, assault), Civil Law (laws pertaining to separation and divorce)
Brainstorm: Ways laws influence you around the clock (the time you get up depends on time school starts-laws where you attend school), foods you eat have been inspected, medicines approved, traffic safety rules, building conforms to safety codes, pajamas children sleep in are nonflammable by law. Imagine life with NO LAWS!
(* I encouraged children to bring news clippings, magazine articles etc. that pertain to legal matters to discuss-they really enjoyed this!)
Class Discussion: What kinds of things might happen? What conflicts might arise?
Probe Deeper: Where would buildings be built? Would there be schools? How would you know if your dentist knew his business? How would you be handling your money properly?
Do Law I: Larceny or Theft?
Do Case 2.1 (You be the Judge)
The Missing Horse
Do Case 2.2 (The Missing Radio)
SECOND LESSON: (40 minutes)
Review law case from last lesson on 1st Law: Larceny of Theft. The law has been written on a card sheet with its legal terms and interpretation of the law. These are displayed on a bulletin board in the classroom for the children to review.
2nd Law: Vandalism or Doing Damage on Purpose Discuss; do the same as Law I.
3rd Law: Paint Sniffing or Glue Sniffing (same as above) Read cases and discuss. Allow students to debate the cases and decide reasons why they feel the outcome is a guilty or not guilty decision. Discuss their interpretation of the law.
THIRD LESSON: (40 minutes)
Review all laws discussed and see if the children know the laws displayed on the law board.
Do laws: 4 Curfew or Staying Out Too Late 5-Disorderly ConductLoitering 6-Burglary and Breaking and Entering
Discuss the law and its meaning. Give examples. Read cases presented, decide on guilty or not guilty for each example. Discuss outcomes.
FOURTH LESSON: (40 minutes)
Go into Chapter 3- What Can the Officer Do? What Will the Officer Do?
Discuss the concept of "discretion" in law enforcement. Presentation of the cases. Students are asked to decide two things:
The students loved doing the cases and because it was like the TV programs "People's Court" or "You Be The Judge" it was presented in game form. Still, students learned concepts.
My students were now much more knowledgeable of how and why laws are formed and had a better understanding of consequences for breaking laws.
After our initial discussions, I began having guest speakers come in. I explained to the speakers my intent was to inform the children of any areas pertaining to the field of law. Some speakers were very nervous about speaking to children; others were delighted. I also obtained names of attorneys, judges etc. from a list the Social Studies Department of the school district had on file. The list contained names of "legal people" willing to talk to students. Usually the person said they would talk to Jr. High and above. However, after I called and explained I felt it was crucial we start informing elementary age children, they were receptive to trying this with me.
I asked if I could video tape their presentation because other children would then be able to benefit from the lecture. All agreed.
All guest speakers were asked to talk for at least 20 minutes and then there would be a question and answer period. (Note-all of my students are used to guest speakers and have been informed of correct manners and appropriate questioning. The students have always made me very proud. Preplanning, however, is important.)
After having two private practice attorneys and one employee of the Public Defender's Office in to speak to my class, field trips were arranged to the court house.
The class had a discussion of court house procedures done by the head of security. They saw a film on jury selection which every adult must see before being assigned on a jury. Three groups saw bail hearings in the court room and one group saw a child abuse case. In one of the bail hearings my sixth graders walked into the courtroom and wanted to sit away from the adults to show us their maturity. The prisoners were brought in with hands and feet chained. They sat down and some of them turned to the young sixth grade girls and smiled and said "things." I felt like a mother hen because they all came back to sit near me. It was a good experience for all of us.
After our trip to the Court House I invited more guest speakers to the classroom. Speakers included a Probation Intake Officer from our local Youth Detention Center. He discussed how children may end up at the Detention Center and what happened to them once they were there. It was an informative and "eye opening" session for pre-teens.
The Intake Officer was followed by a Master of Divorce/Child Custody Judge. He discussed the child's role in a divorce/custody case. He also brought his robe to show the children and explain the tradition behind it. He was very helpful in alleviating some of the children's fear of judges.
Next, the Head of Security for a local food store chain talked to the students about shoplifting, security systems, and what happened to shoplifters. I also invited a child psychologist for the Court System who explained what he does in divorce/custody cases, why the court requests his expertise, and some of the "games" he uses with children to get at how they feel. My last speaker was another judge who enlightened the children on how we use the U.S. Constitution in our lives.
After we had heard from all of the guest speakers, children reviewed various videos of the presentations and we had question and answer periods. What did you learn?, What did you like?, What laws do you now understand?, What should we improve?, Change?
It was my first attempt to have children learn about laws and our Court System. I felt it was very successful.
I am pleased so much is now being done to expose children as young as primary age to the legal system.