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ReporterSUPREME COURT OF OHIO | THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF OHIOOHIO
STATE BAR ASSOCIATION | ACLU OF OHIO FOUNDATIONSPONSORS
OCLRE is excited and honored to host two influential keynoters
at the 2014 Law & Citizenship Conference. Mary Beth Tinker
(Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District) has continued to
advocate for students First Amendment rights since she was the
Plaintiff in the 1969 landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that
concluded
[I]t can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed
their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at
the schoolhouse gate. Like many educators and champions for civic
and law-related education, Ms. Tinker was alarmed by the results of
the recent Annenberg Public Policy Center study which indicates,
among other startling statistics, that only one-third of Americans
can name the three branches of government, and another third cant
name any. So, along with attorney-friend Mike Hiestand, Tinker
launched the Tinker Tour-a journey across the country to promote
youth voices, free speech and a free press.
Ms. Tinker will greet conference participants on Sunday,
September 21 and deliver the keynote address on Monday, September
22. She will share stories from the tour and discuss how teachers
and other advocates can work together to engage young people in
learning and appreciating the rights and responsibilities provided
by the Constitution.
Students First Amendment Rights, Ohio Judicial Reform Among
Conference HIghlights
Did you know?
Issue 2Fall 2014
What teachers say about the Law & Citizenship
Conference:Great ideas. Excellent ways to engage students.Always
able to take lessons back and implement in the classroom.I came
away with so many resources and new ideas.
Turn to page 5 for conference details.
IN THIS ISSUE
Mock Trial Case Capsule ......... 2 OCLRE Award Winners
.......... 4
Conference Highlights .............. 5
InspirED ....................................... 6
[O]n average, one quarter of the people who go to the polls on
Election Day do not bother to vote for judges.
With the recognition and understanding that Ohio citizens wish
to maintain the right to vote on judges, Supreme Court of Ohio
Chief Justice Maureen OConnor led a statewide initiative to review
judicial election history,
past reform efforts and propose improvements to elevate judicial
elections. Based on the findings, the Chief developed a three-point
proposal for Ohio judicial election reform.
Chief Justice OConnor will share the plan with conference
attendees on Monday, September 22. Following her presentation,
Chief Justice OConnor will engage teachers in a candid conversation
about the proposed reform.
Source: http://ohiojudicialreform.org/
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2 3
Lest readers think that OCLRE leaves the competition only to
students, our staff has been participating in a high-stakes
(bragging rights) competition of their own for quite some time. In
an effort to inspire creativity, team building and a bit of
friendly rivalry Executive Director Lisa Eschleman implemented the
OCLRE Quote of the Week.Throughout the year, OCLRE staff members
submit well-known quotes focused on democracy, civic education,
leadership and related topics. Each week, a new quote is posted and
quarterly, after a tally of anonymous votes, the staff member who
has submitted the winning quote is recognized. At the end of the
year, the OCLRE Board of Trustees selects the Quote of the Year. If
you follow OCLRE on social media, you likely have seen many of the
submissions, and now some of the recent winning Quotes of the Week
are sprinkled throughout this issue of the Reporter.
Have a favorite quote youd like us to highlight on our Facebook
page? Send it to [email protected]. To plan your own classroom
Quote of the Week, check out the Center on Congress at Indiana
Universitys Civic Quotes at
http://www.tpscongress.org/civic-quotes, where you will find quotes
from U.S. government leaders enhanced with historical primary
source images.
2015 Mock Trial Case CapsuleEmerson Jones v. Buckeye Juvenile
Correctional Institution, et. al. Emerson Jones was injured while
incarcerated at the Buckeye Juvenile Correctional Institution
(BJCI) when guards responded to a food fight in the cafeteria. A
nurse who examined Emerson at BJCI determined that Emersons wrist
was sprained. Because the pain continued, Emerson saw a doctor
following release from BJCI and it was determined that the wrist
was actually broken. Emerson claims that BJCI violated his Eighth
Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment, arguing that
the guard engaged in unnecessary infliction of pain and that staff
acted with indifference in misdiagnosing the injury.
OCLRE offers academic programs that provide students
opportunities to practice the role of citizen in authentic,
meaningful ways. Learn more take part in a professional development
session this fall! From We the People and Moot Court, to social
justice and public policy oriented programs like Youth for Justice
and Project Citizen, there are a variety of ways to engage students
in learning about government, our justice system and the importance
of being an informed, active citizen. All OCLRE programs are
aligned to Ohios learning standards for social studies and
English/language arts. Register today and learn more at
www.oclre.org.
Quote-worthy
Fall into project-based programs that make it real for
students
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to
change the world.
Nelson Mandela
We pay a price when we deprive children of the exposure
to the values, principles, and
education they need to make
them good citizens.
Sandra Day OConnor
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Priya Sonty Priya is Program Coordinator for the high school
Mock Trial and Moot Court programs. Priya graduated from The Ohio
State University Moritz College of Law in 2014. She has a Master of
Education from Christian Brothers University, with licensure in
Secondary Spanish Education. Prior to law school, Priya taught in
the Memphis (TN) City Schools. No doubt that Priyas education
and
experience will be a great asset to OCLRE and the teachers and
students whom we serve.
Ryan Suskey Ryan is Director of Professional Development and
Programs. Ryan earned his undergraduate degree from the University
of Pittsburgh and his M.A.T. from Johns Hopkins University. He is a
2013 graduate of The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
Prior to joining the OCLRE staff, Ryan taught at Columbus
Collegiate Academy. Ryan also taught at Carver
Vocational Technical High School in Baltimore, MD. Ryan is
excited to work with teachers to provide tools and resources you
need for success in the classroom.
2 3
Justice Joins OCLRE Board of TrusteesNo, thats not just a play
on words The Ohio Center for Law-Related Education is pleased to
welcome Scioto County attorney Karyn Justice to its Board of
Trustees.
Ms. Justice received her B.A. from Kent State University, summa
cum laude, in 1995 and graduated from The Ohio State University
Moritz College of Law in 2000 as a Public Service Fellow. Following
graduation, Ms. Justice moved to Portsmouth, Ohio where she still
resides.
Ms. Justice began her legal career representing indigent clients
in Scioto, Adams and Lawrence counties at Southeastern Ohio Legal
Services. In 2009, Justice was honored with the Ohio State Bar
Foundations Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
(District 8). She joined the Foundations Fellows Class in 2010 and
its Board of Trustees in 2012. In 2013, Justice was appointed to
the Council of Delegates for the Ohio State Bar Association and
received a Presidents Volunteer Service Award. In 2014, she joined
the Board of Directors of the Boneyfiddle Arts Center, as well as
the OCLRE Board of Trustees.
Activities that help people at home and throughout Ohio are a
rewarding part of my career. No doubt that Ms. Justice has helped a
great number people in her community, among them students. Since
2004, she has advised the Sciotoville Community School (East High
School) Mock Trial team. Very recently she received the following
note from a former student:
Hey Karyn, a few days ago I was going through old things and I
found some of my Mock Trial folders, made me think about how
important mock trial really was to me and how much it helped me as
a person, I really dont think I would have the amount of confidence
and courage that I do now if it hadnt been for Mock Trial. I hope
you realize what a massive positive influence that mock trial and
you were in my life, I know you dont need anyone to tell you this,
but what you do is important, volunteering your time to help and
educate high school kids makes a huge impact, and I cant thank you
enough.
On behalf of OCLRE, we couldnt agree more. Thank you, and
welcome!
Welcome WagonOCLRE is pleased to welcome two new and talented
staff members to its team.
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Eiler, Founders Award Recipients Announced
The Teaching ToolboxTeachers, are you looking for interactive
games? Videos? Field trip resources? New ideas for teaching the
founding documents, or just a fun classroom activity? Now you can
make OCLRE your first stop for civics and social studies teaching
resources with our new online Teaching Toolbox! Our revamped
teacher resources collection offers up-to-date resources organized
by topic, plus OCLRE program resources in an easy-to-access format.
Highlights include iCivics Games, the Newseums Digital Classroom,
and The Library of Con-gress Teaching with Primary Sources Direct.
The Toolbox contains resources for teaching Ohio government,
history, the state and federal courts systems, mock trial, and much
more. Check it out now at OCLRE.org/teaching-toolbox. Explore, have
fun, and tell us what you think!
Did we miss something? Tell us about a great resource we should
add. Contact Kate Strickland: [email protected].
Lori U. Eiler Award for Mock Trial Coaching Excellence
Glenna McClain has advised the mock trial team at St. Joseph
High School in Ironton, Ohio, for the past 18 years. Though
Mc-Clain retired from teaching two years ago, she remains steadfast
in her dedication to the students. St. Joseph Mock Trial team
member Elijah Lutz nominated McClain on behalf of his
teammates.
[Ms. McClain] has taught me so much about the law, courts,
public speaking and oration. These lessonsare priceless and have
led me to wanting to pursue a career in law. Personally, she cares
deeply for her students [and] has looked after us as if we were her
own children.
Founders Award
Rick Dove is the recipient of this years Founders Award. Rick
served 20 years on the OCLRE Board of Trustees after being
appointed in 1994 by Chief Justice Thom-as J. Moyer. Throughout his
tenure, Dove served in every officer position and judged many Mock
Trial, We the People and other OCLRE competitions. I have loved
every minute of my time with OCLRE and now [see] lawyers in
practice who were Mock
Trial participants during my early days on the board. OCLRE is
grateful to Dove for his service, leadership and support.
The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours
is that he be able and willing to pull his own weight.
Theodore Roosevelt
On behalf of the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education and its
Board of Trustees, it is a pleasure to announce the 2014 recipients
of OCLREs highest honors.
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OCLRE Awards HistoryFounders2002 Benson Wolman, Susan Gellman,
Jim Phillips, Anthony Celebrezze, Jr.2003 Patricia Allen Day2004
Alvin Bell2005 Dwight Groce2006 Akron Bar Association, Sherri Bevan
Walsh2007 David Naylor2008 Rodney Barnes2009 Thomas Moyer2010
Shirley Seaton2011 Justice Robert and Libby Cupp2012 Ken Donchatz,
Deborah DeHaan2013 Bill Weisenberg 2014 Rick Dove
Eiler1998 Lori Eiler Cleveland Shaw High School1999 Dick Smith
Marysville High School2000 Cynthia Fazio St. Xavier High School2001
Dale Hutzelman Lakota West High School2002 Russell Curtis Ripley
Union Lewis Huntington High School2003 Denny Lyle Sylvania
Southview High School2004 John Quinn Mt. Gilead High School2005 Tim
Taylor Oak Hills High School2006 Michael Boller Lehman Catholic
High School2007 Steve Reger Indian Hill High School2008 Bernie Wong
Indian Hill High School2009 Kevin Hillery Archbishop Hoban High
School2010 Joy Day Ashland High School2011 Chris Amedeo Jackson
High School2012 Paul Nick Thomas Worthington High School2013 Jeff
Schobert Archbishop Hoban High School2014 Glenna McClain St. Joseph
High School (Ironton)
Founding Documents and Primary SourcesProfessor Andrew Wehrman,
Marietta College, will present on the Northwest Ordinance,
Northwest Territories, and the founding of Marietta. Bob Priest and
Mark Dickman are classroom teachers who will demonstrate effective,
engaging authen-tic assessments for teaching founding documents.
Ryan Cairney from the Ohio
History Connection will share resources and strategies for
teach-ing founding documents. Charlene Volk Center on Congress at
Indiana University will use hands-on activities to explore the
primary sources at the Library of Congress.
ElectionsPublic opinion polling shapes how politi-cians plan and
execute. But how do polls work? How reliable are they? How do they
influence people? Dr. John Green, direc-tor of the Ray C. Bliss
Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron will share
his expertise to help teachers tackle the 2014 elections in the
classroom. Darrel Rowland, Public Affairs Editor, Columbus
Dispatch, will discuss how media shapes elections and the
rela-tionship between the media, candidates and election coverage.
Supreme Court of Ohio Chief Justice Maureen OConnor has developed a
three-point plan to improve judicial elections in Ohio. Join the
Chief Justice for a candid discussion about judicial elec-tions and
the proposed reform.
Law & Courts Living in a democratic society, its impor-tant
to understand how rules and laws are made. Michael ONeill from the
Legisla-tive Service Commission will go beyond the Schoolhouse Rock
song and explain how a bill really becomes law in Ohio. Adrienne
Gavula and Lisa Wurm from the American Civil Liberties Union of
Ohio will share new and practical ways to teach public policy.
Mary Beth Tinker will share her experience as the namesake of a
landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision for students First Amend-ment
rights and how she continues to advocate today.
Discounts! Havent attended the conference before? Register as a
first-timer and save big. Have you been coming to the conference
for years and want a fellow teacher to attend, too? Take advantage
of the discounted colleague rate!
Lessons, Resources, Networking, and Graduate Credit Attending
the conference is just the beginning. Participants will receive a
flash drive of 25+ ready-to-use lessons, websites, and resources
that can be used throughout the year. Network with colleagues and
share tips and strategies. Need graduate credit? One graduate
credit from Ashland University is offered for a fee.
Get all the details and register today at
www.oclre.org/programs/LnC.
Prof. Andrew Wehrman
Chief Justice OConnor
Mary Beth Tinker
2014 Law & Citizenship Conference- Learn from those in the
know
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By Kate Strickland, Deputy Director
Its been a long time since I sat in eighth grade American
History class, but there are a few things I still remember quite
well. For starters, I had a seat by the door, which allowed me to
linger a bit longer in the hallway to chat with friends and still
make it to my seat by the time the bell rang. That seat also
happened to be right next to my best friend, who may or may not
have occasionally interrupted my listening to instruction (and vice
versa) with side conversation. But the real reason American History
and its lessons are remembered are because of a great teacher:
Jared Reitz.
Many OCLRE members and friends know Jared as the organizations
recently-retired director of programs. However, prior to working
for OCLRE, Jared taught for 30 years in my hometown of Piqua, Ohio.
Jareds excitement and passion for his work was hard for even the
least-engaged students to ignore. His classroom was a true
democracy; every thought
and question had the right to be heard and discussed. He
genuinely wanted his students to learn, understand and apply. He
understood and believed in the purpose of teaching about our
nations history and its founding principles so that we may all one
day grow to be better, more informed contributors to society. This
understanding and passion no doubt led to Jareds involvement in
OCLRE programs, first implementing in his own classroom and
ultimately joining the OCLRE staff after his retirement from
teaching.
As a young woman fresh out of college and practicing social
work, it was Jared who introduced me to OCLREs Youth for Justice
program, which I implemented with some of my small groups. For the
students with whom I worked, Youth for Justice provided a rare
opportunity for empowerment, a chance to have their
voices heard and to offer their ideas for addressing injustices
they and their peers experienced. Seeing those students faces light
up at the seemingly-simple question, what do you think? was a joy,
and truly a teachable moment for many who werent often asked that
question at home or at school. As Jared often says, for a teacher,
it doesnt get any better than that.
Though I miss working directly with students, I am fortunate to
work with teachers and to know the impact OCLRE programs make on
students throughout the state. OCLRE is grateful to the hundreds of
teachers who, despite all the other must dos, embrace its
programs
as a way of bringing citizenship to life for their students.
Thinking back to that eighth grade classroom at Wilder Junior
High, I can still conjure a few classmates names and faces. I am no
longer in touch with many of them, but I do know that among us
there are nurses, accountants, and entrepreneurs. But Im sure there
are teachers. In fact, among them is that best friend of mine who,
it seems, was indeed listening in class. Thank you, Jared, for
inspiring us to be good citizens and life-long learners. And for
allowing one of us (me!) to remain a student in Mr. Reitzs class a
while longer.
6 7
Jared with Rutherford B. Hayes (not a former student)
Teachers make every other profession possible. Unknown
InspirED: Students stories about educators who inspire
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6 7
Mr. Browning (and class) Goes to WashingtonMike Browning,
teacher at Gahanna Mid-dle School South, took his eighth grade
class to Washington, D.C. to participate in the National We the
People Middle School Showcase. Here, Browning recounts the journey,
which started in the classroom and was fueled by students
preparation and enthusiasm.
Gahanna Middle School South imple-mented the We the People
curriculum in its eighth grade accelerated English and American
History classes in 2009 and, since the first year, the program has
been an incredibly rewarding experience for the students. We the
People, created by the Center for Civic Education, teaches
Constitutional issues through simulated legislative hearings.
Over the past few years, our students have expressed interest in
increasing their commitment to We the People. In August, 2013, I
met with the building administra-tors (Ms. Robin Murdock and Mr.
Denver Fowler) about the possibility of taking We the People
students to the National Showcase at George Mason University, just
outside Washington D.C. The main obstacle was the logistics of
organizing such a trip. The first step was to contact WorldStrides
Travel to learn the dates, costs, and fundraising opportunities.
The next step was to see if the students and their parents had a
genuine interest in par-ticipating in the national competition. Any
questions I initially had about whether this trip would become
reality ended when the response from the students and parents was
unanimous in favor of competing against the best We the People
teams in the United States. The final hurdle was to get approval
from the Gahanna Jefferson Board of Education, which was granted in
November 2013.
We then had two obstacles to tackle: fun-draising and academic
preparation. The estimated cost per student was $1,250. Fundraising
efforts were organized to help offset the costs. Students
partici-pated in a Yankee Candle sale, worked the concession stand
at school basketball games and wrote letters to more than 300 local
attorneys and businesses requesting donations. These efforts raised
more than $6000. I reached out to former students through social
media to seek contribu-tions to help fund the trip. To my surprise,
more than $1500 came through the mail,
in some cases from those who had not been Gahanna South students
in over two decades. With the success of the fundrais-ing, the cost
per student was lowered to approximately $850.
Equally important was preparing stu-dents for the academic
challenges that lie ahead. I divided my class into six groups, with
each group preparing for one of the six unit presentations. I
enlisted the help of six local attorneys, so each group had a legal
mentor. The legal mentors pro-vided feedback to the students and
also taught them how to do legal research. An English teacher
colleague conducted writers workshops, to provide in-struction and
feedback for the students written presentations. I helped students
to develop public speaking skills and worked with them to prepare
for the follow-up question and answer portion of the simu-lated
hearings.
Three weeks prior to the national com-petition, a practice round
was held at the Gahanna South library. Parents, communi-ty members,
teachers and district admin-istrators were invited, and a guest
panel of judges was assembled that included a state representative,
the executive director of the Ohio Center for Law Related
Educa-tion and a local attorney. The practice round was videotaped,
which allowed the class to analyze and determine what improvements
were needed.
On April 4, 2014, our We the People team set out for the
national competition. The students preparation paid off and their
dedication never waned. Ultimately, the Gahanna South team finished
in fourth
place at the national competition.Besides taking part in the We
the People competition, the students had the oppor-tunity to
sight-see in our nations capital. Among the highlights, the
students were given a special tour of the U.S. Capitol from Gahanna
South alumna Cory Fritz, communications director for House Speaker
John Boehner. The students were on the floor of the U.S. House of
Repre-sentatives and in the office and private balcony of Speaker
Boehner, among other areas of the Capitol building. Sara Igdaloff
Luck, a Washington D.C. attorney and Gahanna South alumna, spoke to
the stu-dents about how she overcomes anxiety when presenting a
case. Students also spent time at the Smithsonian Institute, the
National Archives, Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery and
many of the monuments.
Students had the opportunity to fully explore the nations
capital, but many expressed that participating in the We the People
showcase was the most memorable experience. The parental support
was overwhelming, and the building and dis-trict administration
have already pledged their support for Gahanna South to send a team
to the 2015 We the People National Middle School Showcase.
Editors Note: On August 8, 2014, Mike Browning was selected as
an American Lawyers Alliance National Middle School Law-Related
Teacher of the Year. The Na-tional Teacher of the Year Award
recogniz-es teachers who have made outstanding contributions to
law-related education.
Browning, back right, with his class in Washington, D.C.
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Go behind the scenes of Ohios government and meet those in the
seats of power in the legislative, executive and judicial
branches... Join us January 13-14, 2015!
Place-based learning Teaching to SB 165 Original texts the Ohio
Constitution Meet with members of the General Assembly and Justices
of
the Supreme Court of Ohio See the Supreme Court in session
Participate in tours and simulations Take home ready-to-use lesson
plans, activities and resources
What past participants say about OGIA:I networked, learned a
great deal, and left with solid material I can use. Quite the
trifecta.This conference provided real knowledge concerning the
three branches of government.[B]y far the best professional
development I have ever attended!
Get the Go-To Resource for Government TeachersGovernment in
Action: A Content Manual for Teachers with Classroom Applications
has been reprinted by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education and
is for sale. Written by Dr. David Naylor and Dr. Bruce Smith, both
from the University of Cincinnati, content includes the nature of
government, our federal system, Ohios history and Constitution, the
three branches of Ohio government and more. Government in Action
has been reviewed by teachers who found it the go to resource for
teaching the requirements of Senate Bill 165 which includes U.S.
and Ohio founding documents.
Cost: Members $10 Non Members $15
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Helping Students Deliver Top-Notch PresentationsWhether
preparing for We the People, Mock Trial, Moot Court, Youth for
Justice - or, frankly, any presentation it is not uncommon for
students to express reservations about public speaking. Even the
most poised and prepared may feel anxious, and anxiety can
negatively impact ones presentation.
Ed Krauss, veteran We the People judge and mediator with more
than 20 years of experience, has offered his suggestions to help
students prepare for the oft-dread-
ed oral presentation. The following was written as a reflection
following the 2014 High School We the People State Competition, but
Mr. Krausss suggestions are relevant no matter the program or
presentation setting.
During the initial responses, students are usually so well
prepared that they read - or recite from memory while barely
consulting their notes - their pre-sentations. They barely take a
breath. They often end with 20 or so seconds left on their
time.
In mediation we have a saying: Silence is your friend. People
need time to digest information, especially fact and history-loaded
sentences. Three seconds is a long time, and twenty seconds would
provide six or more two or three-second pauses. Presenters would do
well to practice two or three-second pauses (which will seem like a
long time to them) after key points or the end of paragraphs. The
judges will have a few precious seconds to digest and consider, and
the points will have greater impact.
It is common for the teams to be well-prepared, even excellent,
in the initial portion. That means two things; that of course teams
must be strong in that portion of the competition (because almost
every team is strong), and that the difference often occurs in the
question and answer, no-notes second portion. Things to avoid in
this portion:
Starting sentences with I think. One or two times arent a
problem, but try to limit or eliminate the phrase.
Inserting ones religious beliefs, or citing religious teachings
as the basis for laws or legislation.
Failing to take a moment to consider the question. There is no
penalty for gathering thoughts before responding. (See three-second
pause, above.)
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Teachers Take the Action Back to the Classroom: Ohio Government
in Action
Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an
alien power over us. The ultimate rulers
of democracy are not a president and senators and
congressmen and government officials, but the voters
of this country. Franklin D. Roosevelt
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9OCLRE Members Selected to Attend Supreme Court Summer
InstituteBy P.J. Babb, teacher, West Carrollton High School
Two Ohio teachers and OCLRE members were selected to participate
in the Street Law Supreme Court Summer Institute for Teachers in
Washington, D.C. Amanda Ferrell (formerly with Nordonia High
School) and P.J. Babb (West Carrollton High School) spent six days
of in-depth study with a select group of teachers from across the
nation. Here, Ms. Babb shares her experience and how it will impact
her teaching, including preparing her students for the annual OCLRE
We the People competition.
I had the privilege of participating in the Supreme Court Summer
Institute for Teachers from June 26-July1. I was one of 30
educators chosen nationwide to attend this Institute. We worked in
the classroom for 35 hours learning about current cases before the
Court, the day-to-day functions of the Court, how cases are
selected, the personalities of the current Justices, and left with
a wealth of ready-to-use resources for the classroom. Each of our
sessions included Dynamic Outside Resource People (DORPs),
including attorneys that argued cases before the Court, Appellate
Judges, previous Court clerks, media personnel that cover the
Court, interest group leaders, and professors.
The highlight of the week, however, was being in the Court on
Monday, June 30, the final day of the Courts term, when they
announced their decisions in the final cases, including the Hobby
Lobby case. To be there for the bench announcements and hear the
justices explain their reasoning for the decision was monumental
and an experience I will never forget. That evening our group of
educators returned to the Supreme Court for a reception where we
had the opportunity to meet Justice Samuel Alito, author of the
majority opinion of both the decisions announced that morning from
the bench.
Additionally, I was able to collaborate with 29 other educators
from across the nation. This allowed me to consider ideas for
integration of the new resources in the classroom and to discuss
education in general with people from various backgrounds and areas
of the country. I left Washington, D.C. with a much more
comprehensive understanding of the operation of the Court and a
variety of resources that I can easily adapt in all my American
Government courses. I also participated in a Moot Court that I will
definitely be incorporating into my classroom as my students
prepare for the annual We the People Competition in January.
The Institute was by far the most educational and worthwhile
professional development experience of my 15 year teaching career
and I am excited to integrate my new resources and knowledge in my
classroom this fall. I feel privileged to have been chosen to
participate in this priceless experience and I am thankful to the
Supreme Court Historical Society, Street Law and West Carrollton
Schools for their support in this endeavor.
Historians & Grammarians: Take Note!An article published
recently in The New York Times (July 2, 2014) draws attention to
punctuation in the official transcript of the Declaration of
Independence which, perhaps, changes its meaning. Read the article
here. What do you think? What do your students think? Spark lively
classroom discussion and debate, and remind students that, no
matter ones perspective or interpretation, punctuation has
power.
Babb at the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Sponsor Spotlight: Ohio State Bar Association Resources for
Teachers & Students
Whats In It for Me? Constitution Day Sept. 17
Special thanks to Taylor Webb, intern, Ohio State Bar
Association
OCLRE is fortunate to be sponsored by four organizations that
support its mission, to the benefit of countless teachers and
students across the state. The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA)
and its charitable arm, the Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF),
provide resources that promote understanding of the law and how
courts work. Many of these resources are useful for students and
teachers and complement OCLREs own programs and resources.
The mission of the OSBF is to promote public understanding of
the law and to improve the justice system. Not only does the OSBF
help to support OCLREs programs with grant money, but it also
provides resources for students and teachers through the projects
of its Fellows classes. One resource available through the OSBF
website is O.P.E.N. Court, a series of three videos intended to
help youth with developmental disabilities prepare for a court
appearance. The videos follow Henry through his experience in the
juvenile justice system. The videos and accompanying resource guide
address the emotional and practical issues that a child with
developmental disabilities may face, and provide information about
child and caregiver rights. Another OSBF resource for teachers and
students is Constitution Classroom, an extensive program providing
educators with tools they need to teach the U.S. Constitution.
The OSBA serves the needs of its member lawyers across Ohio. In
addition, it provides resources to help improve the publics
understanding of the law. The OSBA website offers a host of public
information resources, many of which are funded by the OSBF.
Specifically appropriate for older high school students is the
OSBA fact sheet, Now Youre 18, which briefly outlines the legal
rights and responsibilities that come with entry into adulthood.
Another OSBA resource suitable for use in the classroom is
LawFacts, a collection of 30 pamphlets that cover topics as diverse
as traffic law, jury service, divorce and preparing for a legal
career. For a comprehensive overview of Ohio law written in
consumer friendly language, The Law & You: A Legal Handbook for
Ohio Consumers and Journalists, is available in e-book or PDF form,
and hard copies are also available.
Students and teachers may also wish to peruse the large and
frequently updated archive of Law You Can Use articles through the
OSBA website. A search box allows visitors to search topics of
interest from among the 600+ articles in the archive. These
articles provide general legal information that includes topics of
interest to teachers and students, such as penalties for youths who
commit serious crimes; school privacy, violence, suspensions and
expulsions; legal rights for students with disabilities; school
concerns related to divorce or separation; bullying; and sharing
information online.
Another OSBA resource is a YouTube video titled Going to Court.
This animated video is a basic introduction to the judicial branch
that shows what kinds of cases are handled by various courts on the
local, state and federal levels.
The collaborative efforts between OCLRE and its sponsors are
intended to benefit Ohios teachers and students. In addition to the
OCLRE Teaching Toolbox, we hope youll take a look at the resources
our sponsor organizations have provided to help your students
better understand and appreciate the law and our judicial
system.
Relating to the Constitution can be a daunting task for
students. Before they invest time and energy to learn something,
they ask Whats in it for me? As a teacher, you also want to know
Whats in it for me?when presented with teaching resources about
free speech or due process. These valid questions are at the heart
of the Ohio State Bar Foundations Constitution Classroom. If you
want to make Constitution Day-September 17th-or any other day of
the year with your students creative and productive, visit OSBF
Con-stitution Classroom and seize these free, downloadable
materials. No warrant necessary.
You will find
Materials researched by lawyers but written for teachers and
students. No need to do any last minute research
More than 150 pages of content, lesson plans, activities and
interactive PowerPoints to use in your classroom
Updated Supreme Court cases that deal with actual students and
issues they face today
Lessons charted for easy reference to Ohio Benchmark
Standards
And Committed lawyers who will teach these lessons with you any
day of the year, including September 17th
For more information, contact Beth Gillespie at
[email protected] or 614-487-4474.
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10 11
By Priya Sonty, J.D.Program Coordinator Moot Court and Mock
Trial programs
In the last issue of the Reporter, we announced OCLREs new Moot
Court
program. After the close of a successful first year, OCLRE is
reflecting on how everything came together, and if you werent able
to join us last year, this article will inspire you to participate
in 2015!
So, how does Moot Court differ from Mock Trial? Moot Court is
all about the appellate process when, following a trial verdict,
one of the parties seeks to appeal the decision to a higher court.
In Moot Court, there is no jury, no witnesses, and no presentation
of evidence, all of which are elements of a trial. Instead, an
attorney advocates the position of his/her client to a panel of
volunteer attorney judges. Judges may interrupt at any time to ask
questions or attempt to dismantle an argument by highlighting case
facts that are unfavorable to the students position. Students must
be prepared to think on their feet in order to answer judges
questions. They will likely have to deviate from prepared remarks,
only to have to get back on track. While Mock
Trial is all about proving the validity and persuasiveness of
the facts of a case, Moot Court requires that students argue
whether the trial decision was correct as a matter of
interpretation of law and policy. Furthermore, the writing
component of Moot Court sets the competition apart if students dont
have a chance to fully make their argument orally in front of the
judges during questioning, there is opportunity to lay out every
piece of their thought process in the form of a persuasive legal
brief. Briefs are also reviewed and scored by volunteer
attorneys.
The skills that Moot Court hones are those essential to being an
exceptional attorney advocate. An advocate must be knowledgeable
about the law, masterful in determining when to emphasize which
facts, compliant with court decorum and proper procedure, mindful
of due process, fair-minded and respectful toward adversaries,
devoted to their client, helpful to the court, honest, and above
all, credible and persuasive. Writing a brief highlights the
important skill of analyzing a large volume of information and
distilling it, learning how to distinguish fact from opinion, and
organizing an argument by the students determination
of what the important issues are rather than by a chronological
narrative of facts. A student must not only know the best facts,
but also which facts are detrimental and why, and how to defend
against them. Preparing oral arguments helps students develop
presentation skills as well as professionalism and ethics. They
learn how to apply law to facts, to structure and rank legal
arguments by strength, and how to maintain composure when
interrupted by a judge. Overall, participation in Moot Court builds
character. Students are often each others best teachers, and the
interactions they have with one another through team-building and
competing against adversaries will teach them a lot about
leadership skills and group problem-solving.
OCLRE is excited to develop the 2015 Moot Court case with the
help of its case and competition committees, and we look forward to
recruiting the participation of even more schools and students in
the coming year.
If you are wondering how to get involved in OCLREs Moot Court
program, or would like more information, please contact me at
[email protected].
Moot Court Program Off to a Fabulous Start
SponsorsSupreme Court of OhioAttorney General of OhioOhio State
Bar AssociationAmerican Civil Liberties Union of Ohio
Foundation
Corporate & Charitable FundersOhio State Bar
FoundationColumbus State Community CollegeKroger
$500 - $999AnonymousRichard Dove, Esq.
$200 - $499Lisa EschlemanJohn QuinnMarion Smithberger
$100 - $199Douglas Buchanan & Christine ArdleyThomas
Friedman, Esq.
$50 - $99Andrew Markiewitz, in honor of Steve Reger & Dan
Wenstrup
$26 - $49Carrie Gleeson, in honor of Dave ChordasMichael &
Laura Jaffe, in honor of Robert RiveraSusan Hamlin ScanlonVicky
Unger, in memory of Diana Meeks
Up to $25Daniel StrunkTCS Software
Thank You, Donors!The Ohio Center for Law-Related Education is
grateful to the following individuals and organizations for their
kind and generous sup-port of our mission to partner with teachers
to bring citizenship to life. Donations listed were given between
August 1, 2013 and July 31, 2014. Many parents recognized teachers
who have made a difference in their childrens lives.
Congratulations and thank you!
Dissent is not sacred; the right of dissent is Thurman
Arnold
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Reporter NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGEPAIDCOLUMBUS, OHIOPERMIT NO.
4247
P.O. Box 16562Columbus, Ohio 43216-65621700 Lake Shore
DriveColumbus, Ohio 43204614-485-3510Toll free
877-485-3510www.oclre.org
2014-2015 Schedule of EventsSEPTEMBER20 Mock Trial professional
development21 Law and Citizenship Conference22 Law and Citizenship
Conference
OCTOBER15 We the People professional development
NOVEMBER5 Youth for Justice/Project Citizen professional
development13 Moot Court professional development18 Middle School
Mock Trial professional development
JANUARY13 Ohio Government in Action (tentative)14 Ohio
Government in Action (tentative)23 We the People High School
Competition30 High School Mock Trial District Competition
FEBRUARY20 High School Mock Trial Regional Competition
MARCH12 High School Mock Trial State Finals13 High School Mock
Trial State Finals 14 High School Mock Trial Championship Round18
Moot Court professional development APRIL15 Middle School Mock
Trial Showcase16 Middle School Mock Trial Showcase17 Middle School
Mock Trial Showcase MAY12 Middle School We the People Showcase15
Project Citizen/Youth for Justice Virtual Summit19 Moot Court
Competition