Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Classroom Trial of Alexander T. Wolf (aka The Big Bad Wolf)

I am currently developing an activity that has to do with Social Studies.  In 2nd grade we study the three branches of our government and basically what they do.  The new activity I am working on has to do with the Judicial branch of our government.  We are going to hold a mock trial to decide if Alexander T. Wolf (aka The Big Bad Wolf) is guilty or innocent of eating the pigs.  Each child will have a job.  Someone will be the attorney for Alexander T. Wolf (who thinks he was framed), and someone else will represent The Three Little Pigs.  They will present their case and call eye witnesses.  Alexander T. Wolf's dear old granny will be called as a character witness.  There will be a judge, jury, newspaper reporters, TV reporters, and photographers in our mock court room.  I will ultimately decide who is doing what job in the court room, but will ask for their preferences.  The plan is that I will be the facilitator to guide my students to prepare their questions and answers, depending upon their job.  Two parents in my classroom are attorneys and have volunteered to teach my students what goes on in a court room, and help prepare for our mock trial.  The newspaper reporters will need to produce articles about the trial using the computer, and download digital photos to go with their articles.  The actual trial will be a visual and auditory podcast on Garageband.  My students will be part of the planning and orchestrating of the trial.  I have already talked to my class about this classroom activity and they are so excited.  They cannot wait to get started.  It will be fun and exciting for me to watch their critical thinking skills in action, as they prepare for the trial.

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