Help - I need to teach 2 "law day" classes at a high school

In a moment of sheer insanity, I volunteered to work on Law Day at Jamaica High School. Basically, they are giving me 2 classes for the entire period. (My law firm sends lawyers each year to talk to classes)

The theme is extremely broad, so really almost anything could go. They haven't yet told me the grade level () so I have no idea if I'll have 9, 10, 11, or 12 grade!

The theme is "Empowering Youth, Ensuring Democracy"

I have to have a whole thing ready to go by next Tuesday. The class periods are 44 mins long each. I plan to do basically the same thing both classes b/c I don't have time to work on two completely separate lessons.

Does anyone have ANY ideas / tips / advice for this situation? I'm looking for tips that could be used for all grade levels. I've requested the lower grade levels since I have the last two periods of the day. (Sorry, but trying to talk to seniors last period in MAY isn't going to go over well, I know...)

I'm hoping to put them into groups for part of it... I'm going to start working on it now. I'm honestly totally at a loss. Everyone else appears to be working in groups - somehow I was assigned 2 classes on which to work entirely on my own. I'm contemplating dragging a summer intern with me!

Re: Help - I need to teach 2 "law day" classes at a high school

How about giving them a mock trial and brainstorm both sides? How would you defend the person or try to convict the person? If you find a case relevant to them (i.e. music downloading) I bet they would really be into it.

Re: Help - I need to teach 2 "law day" classes at a high school

What about something involving major landmark cases like Miranda vs Arizona (?) or Terry vs Ohio.


I just did something with my 6th grade like this, but it had to be toned down. I think you can do a lot more with high school students.

I wanted to show a clip form Law & Order to get them motivated, but my principal wouldn't be thrilled about that.

What about freedom of speech with the situation with Don Imus and others?

Anything they can do in groups like a mock trial or posters wastes a lot of time. I think you can get through two periods.

My kids seemed very interested. There area lot of lesson plans online for this topic. Link

Link

I think what you really need to do is get their attention! High school kids are tough!

Sounds like fun though.

Not sure if this helps. Good Luck!