Title: The Emerald: A Simulation of Service on a Civil Jury

Lesson: Content Standard: TLW analyze fundamental liberties ensured by the Bill of Rights (CA SS 8.2.6).

Skill: Speaking / listening TLW participate respectfully in the exchange of ideas; TLW restate opponents point of view (CNUSD Academic Standard for grade 8 Language Arts).

Objective: TLW actively participate in a group discussion to analyze a complex situation and persuasively express opinions to reach a unanimous group consensus. The learner should gain experience and appreciation of the social interactions and processes inherent in juries.

TL must (1) listen and read for significant detail, (2) verbally express opinions clearly, (3) listen and consider all differing opinions, (4) compromise appropriately, (5) seek out the opinions of everyone.


Learning Activities: The whole group listens as the teacher reads “The Emerald.” Teacher distributes one copy each of the Initial Response Sheet, and directs students to record their initial evaluations of each person's responsibility in the loss of the ring. Students break into jury groups of about 12 to share and compare their opinions and character rankings. Juries are told they must reach a unanimous consensus before marking their Final Response Sheets. Groups then discuss and interact in an orderly manner to reach a unanimous group consensus. Only after group consensus is reached may students mark their Final Response Sheets.

Closure: Each jury group shares its consensus with the whole group in turn followed by a general class discussion to evaluate the success of the experience in simulating probable jury experiences.

Worksheets: Click Here

Grade Level: 7-8

Subject: History

Teacher: Don Van Dalsem

School: CFIS

Location: Corona / CA

 




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