More Background Information on Activities

 

Case Study: Teacher and students read or review a story line in which the actions raise a legal issue, such as Goldilocks illegally entered the Bears private residence and consumed or destroyed their property. Students brainstorm the pertinent facts (vs. opinions, explanations, arguments, or issues) in the story or case. Students identify the major legal issue(s) in the case. Students brainstorm possible arguments for both sides and decide how they'd rule.

 

"Eraser" Game: Teacher arranges students into two or more relay teams lined up and facing front. Teacher gives chalkboard eraser to first person in each line. Teacher tells students that on the "go" signal students will reach to be the first group to pass the eraser all the way to the end of the line and back to the front again. As students start passing back, teacher interrupts them to add a new physical task (such as standing on one foot, making circle with arm, closing eyes) which must be performed while passing back the eraser. As students begin again, teacher interrupts again with yet another physical task. The process is repeated three or four times or more if necessary. When students begin to complain about the situation, teacher asks them to be seated and questions what made them so frustrated. Teacher leads students in full group brainstorm on the characteristics for a good rule (clear and understandable, fair, worthwhile, consistent, able to be followed, able to be changed and enforceable).

 

Role Play: Students act out loosely defined roles of individuals in law-related scenarios, such as contract negotiations, consumer fraud, police arrests, and conflict resolution. Roles and action to take place may be designed by teachers, students, or obtained from LRE resource materials. The scene is not scripted, however, and students must improvise instead.

 

Tap Dancer: In this conflict resolution activity, students are arranged in groups of three and play the roles of Harry, Bill, and a mediator trying to resolve the conflict existing between these two former friends. Harry, who has decided to become a tap dancer, frequently practices at night in his apartment, which is immediately above Bill's apartment. Both are angry but desire to resolve the problem so they are willing to have their conflict mediated.

 

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