Order in the Court: A Mock Trial Simulation, An Interactive Discovery-Based Social Studies Unit for High-Ability Learners (Grades 6-8) (Interactive Discovery-Based Units for High-Ability Learners)

I was going to use this book for a classroom mock trial. I found the layout confusing. The trial is based on the story of The Three Little Pigs. This content is meant for advanced students and I thought the trial story was juvenile. There was no evidence involved in the case and I found that there was not enough information on how to execute this with the students. However, I did utilize the graphic organizers and mini trials in my lessons. This could be useful if you have mock trial experience.

This was easy to adapt to the mock trial setting. Students of all abilities could participate and learn. This enhances writing and research and often awakens budding actors.

This is a nice, overall good book for explaining the court system to kids. If you are needing a crash course in mock trial and want to have a nursery rhyme to use to explain things, this is your book. I am teaching an 11-14 year old Mock Trial class in my local Co-op and I wasn't able to use anything in the book. I simply wanted more and wasn't able to find it here. It is well written and takes courts in a fun way for younger ages.

This is a great book for any teacher who wants to start a Mock Trial program in the classroom. Easy to follow lessons that are easy to implement. I am so glad I purchased it...

Despite the fact that other reviewers have rated this book highly, there are so many problems with this book that it is unusable. As an attorney and teacher, I was shocked at the errors. Here's a sampling...First off, the authors don't understand the difference between civil and criminal cases. In the mock criminal trial , they call the case Ms. Petunia Pig v. Mr. BB Wolf. Even my middle school students know that criminal cases are not named for the victim!The authors define the prosecution as lawyers "who argue the case from the point of view of the plaintiff." Wrong again! Prosecutors represent the state in criminal trials; there are no plaintiffs.As another reviewer pointed out, they refer to "closing argument" as "closing statement." This is also incorrect,; it should be "opening statement" and "closing argument." Although this not as egregious as the other errors in the book, it is incorrect terminology that should have been picked up in the editing process.The authors describe the burden of proof as "beyond a shadow of a doubt"; the correct legal phrase is "beyond a reasonable doubt." This is a book that is purportedly designed for intellectually advanced students. So why not use the proper terminology?I have emailed Prufrock about these errors, but they have done nothing to fix them nor have they removed this error-filled book from sale. I have also informed Amazon. I am saddened to see that this book is still for sale; and that other reviewers have rated it so highly.

Teachers who are introducing their grades 6-8 students to the U.S. criminal justice system will benefit from this thorough guide to putting on a classroom mock trial. The showcase trial covered, based on the story of the three little pigs, is amply supplemented with other case briefs and details to ensure that the emphasis remains on analysis and not just on the potential theatrical opportunities.There is substantial education support within the guide, detailing the educational theories behind the simulation. Each of the seven lessons identifies how long it is estimated to take, and provides thorough explanation of what might take place and tips on how to vary the program. Although the cover states it's for high ability learners, there are analytical tools geared towards those at or below grade level as well.The book consists of a significant number of prepared worksheets and other content that is ready to use. From a lawyer's perspective, some of these would make decent additions to a basic trial notebook. I liked the helpful hints for each of the roles, and also the inclusion of a lesson solely focused on case analysis.The few quibbles I had with the book include calling the closing argument a closing statement. In fact, the book calls it both things but more frequently a statement. Since this is geared as a soup-to-nuts simulation, the same term (closing argument) should be used consistently throughout. From an educational standpoint, it helps to differentiate the opening statement (factual) from the closing argument (persuasive). There is a typo in this edition on the Direct Examination definitional worksheet title that teachers will probably want to fix. The instructions for witnesses in chapter 3 was confusing to me, since it was directed to the defendants and not towards non-party witnesses, and so may not be as useful for preparing Little Red Riding Hood & Dr. Wolfgang.A teacher will have a different perspective and better appreciation of the value in the additional features focused on implementing the course. I would feel confident that, if my children participated in this simulation, they would get a solid understanding of the skills required to operate in a courtroom as well as having a fun experience.