Introduction
This webquest will addresss the SOL:
CE.10 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the judicial systems established by the Constitution of Virginia and the Constitution of the United States by
c) comparing and contrasting civil and criminal cases.
You will explore criminal and civil cases in VA and learn the differences between the two. You will also have the chance to particpate in a mock trial with your group members!
Task
You will be going on a judicial journey to explore the inner workings of criminal and civil cases. You will visit websites and expand your knowledge of the judicial system. Then you will show off your expertise by participating in a mock trial!
Process
Step 1: Pick your group members! Make sure your group has at least 5 members and no more than 6 members.
Step 2: Take out your interactive civics notebook in order to take notes and answer questions as you move through the steps.
Step 3: Take a look at this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAZTNuJY1fo .Then as a group come up with a definition for both criminal and civil cases, then write it in your interactive notebooks.
Step 4: Now that you understand the differences between civil and criminal cases. Let's get some practice applying that knowledge to the court system. You and your group will be able to practice through the Make Your Case simulation. You will sign up as a team and follow the instructions on the website. http://www.makeyourcasegame.com/
Step 5: After you have completed the simulation in its entirety, decide if the case in the simulation was a criminal or civil case and why you think this to be true. Then report this information by writing it in your interactive notebook.
Step 6:I want your group to visit http://www.virginiarules.com/virginia-rules/introduction-to-virginias-judicial-system . Here you will learn about VA's Judicial System. You will read the information on the site. After you are done reading, recreate the yellow graphic organizer in your interactive notebook.
Step 7: Now you and your group will prepare for your mock trial. First, you must decide if you want to recreate a civil or criminal case. Then visit http://www.justiceeducation.ca/resources/Advanced-Mock-Trials , your group may use one of these interesting cases or your group could pick and choose from more than one case. Your group could even create your own case. Your group will be able to study and practice your case, then you and your group will present your mock trial to the class. But you will not tell them if you have chosen a criminal or civil case. At the end of your presentation you will ask the class if they think you have presented a criminal or civil case.
Evaluation
| Assignment | Grade | Comments | |
| Interactive Notebook | Credit or No Credit | ||
| Collaboration with Peers | Credit or No Credit | ||
| Presentation | Credit or No Credit |
Once steps are completed, please turn in your interactive notebooks. After the presentation, hand in your script for your mock trial with your names written on the top. Above is an example of the rubric for the assignment.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You are now an expert on criminal and civil cases. Great Work! Today you were able to grasp a better understanding of the court systems in Virginia. You also were able to learn the differences between civil and criminal cases. You even got the opportunity to apply your knowledge by using mock trials and simulations.
Credits
Teacher Page
- Gifted – The gifted students will be able to go to the discovery box for this unit, if he or she finishes assignments before peers. The discovery box will have literature, games, magazines, articles etc. pertaining to judicial systems.
- LEP – Students will be able to be paired with a native English speaker to complete certain activities.
- LD, ED, ADD –Students will be able to sit in the reading area on bean bags to complete certain activities. Students with LD can use the computer to complete the assessment and can be paired with a peer to complete the activities.
- Multicultural Connections –I will be able to make connections to leaders such as Sonya Sotomayor and Thurgood Marshall in the United States Court System, showing how people of color have a place of prominence within the system.
Refer to http://www.whiteplainspublicschools.org/Page/9236 for more information on criminal and civil cases. This website contains a powerpoint with information on both cases. This ppt will be used for instruction for a lesson prior to the webquest assignment.
Make sure that all members of the group are participating in the group work, also make sure students are completing assignments in their interactive notebooks. Although, students will be working together, everyone is required to turn in their own interactive notebook for a grade.
Presentations at the end will be 10-15mins. Make sure students do not reveal if case is criminal or civil. Peers will guess if the case is criminal or civil at the end of the presentation. Then the group will then explain the answer to the peers.
Webquest will take the whole 50 min period, students will need to manage their own time. Provide time prompts as the period progresses.
The presentations will take place next class. If time permits, some presentations can be given this class period.