Congratulations and thank you to everyone who participated in the 2002 Illinois State Bar Association's High School Mock Trial Invitational.

Due to the weather situation on Saturday, all schools were released immediately following their trials and no announcements were made as to awards or standings. Your understanding is very much appreciated. It was a difficult call to make, but based on numerous comments from teachers and volunteers alike, ISBA and the Committee on Law-Related Education felt this was the best possible solution to maintain the integrity of the program and assure the safety of the participants.

Because of the closeness of the top ten teams, and the spread between these teams and the "rest of the pack" (and because we don't have to worry about final trials) ISBA is pleased to announce the top ten teams in this years program, based on the total number of points received during the two trials, and on the team average for the law exam are, in alphabetical order:

Boylan Catholic Glenbard East Hinsdale Central Lake Forest

Mundelein O'Fallon Timothy Christian York

St. Charles East Wheaton Academy

Congratulations to Boylan Catholic for the best team average on the 2002 Law Exam. Their team average was 32 of a possible 38!

Another big congratulations to

and James Woywod, Boylan Catholic.

both scored an impressive 36 on the Law Exam.

Abisola Adekoya, Mundelein Adam Gillman, Lincoln Park

Aditya Bharadwaj, Mundelein Amanda Bryant, Hinsdale Central

Britt Salazar, Timothy Christian Chauntre Barker, Meridian

Chris Assise, Bartlett Chrissy Hassel, Normal Community

Dan Jensen, Boylan Catholic Dan Marx, Glenbrook South

Dan Saavedra, Maine South Emily Archer, Mundelein

Erika Hawkins, Normal Community Heather Cerny, Salem Community

Iryna Martyniv, Mather Jackson Barnes, Oak Park/River Forest

Jeff Stoel, Illiana Christian Khristian Parker, Providence St. Mel

Kyiesha Baldwin, Thornton Lisa Klekowski, St. Charles East

Lyndsay Bratcher, Lexington Malory Murray, Wheaton Academy

Matt Werkema, Chicago Christian Meghan Adams, Glenbard East

Michael Kralovec, Homewood Flossmoor Mike Weber, Hersey

Mithra Rau, Hinsdale Central Nicole Gabriel, Corliss

Nithra Abraham, Lane Technical Patrick Beary, Providence Catholic

Savanah Boren, Paris Sheytophia Leonard, Normal West

Stephanie Zosak, York Takeia Johnson, Thornton

Valerie Stoia, Hinsdale South Whitney Hutchinson, Lake Forest

Will Barron, Hersey

Aaron Elzy, Lexington Amber Reber, O'Fallon

Angie Orozco, Lane Technical Bethany Libby, Hinsdale South

Branden Herbert, Paris Brian Schertz, Normal West

Brittney Zawislak, Glenbard South Chris Hagel, Glenbard East

Chris Shi, HD Jacobs Christian Tribbia, Homewood Flossmoor

Dominic Walters, O'Fallon Erin Stephey, Lexington

Freddy Miranda, Wells Jessica Sender, Normal Community

Jessica Thorpe, Evanston Jonathan Price, Triad

Justin Prather, Sacred Heart Griffin Katie Szadziewicz, York

Marchaun Montgomery, Homewood Flossmoor

Max Bever, Carmel Mike Jones, Sacred Heart Griffin

Morry Williams, Tinley Park Nicole Gabriel, Corliss

Omar Khan, Lake Forest Rachel Gierman, Glenbrook South

Rachel Reynolds, Wheaton Academy Reeba Omman, Hinsdale South

Remedios Pina, Wells Sam Gilbert, Oak Park/River Forest

Sara Bedford, Chatham Glenwood Spark O'Connell, Lincoln Park

Stacy Gilbert, Tinley Park Stephanie LeRoy, Timothy Christian

Stephanie LeRoy, Timothy Christian Ty Doering, Mt. Vernon

Vinay Probhakar, Hinsdale Central

A special note of appreciation to the students, teachers and parents of our volunteer schools who stepped in and filled trial slots when needed:

Hon. Harris Agnew Mary Albert-Fritz

David Anders Michelle Anderson

Melinda Bentley Michelle Blackburn

Tom Carlisle Kelli Childress

Hon. John Coady Terry Costello

Jim Covington Randy Cox

Roland Cross Sheila Fahey-Wallenius

Nancy Ford Camela Gardner

Carl Gilmore Kelli Gordon

Hon Roy Gulley Philip Hanna

Grady Holley Ed Huntley

Dean Jackson Heather Jackson

Lawrence Johnson Cassandra Karimi

John Keith Frank Kopecky

Mark Loro Claire Manning

Linda Marquardt Nancy Martin

David Martin Colleen McLaughlin

Phil Milsk Amy Mobley

Robert Mueller John Myers

Hon. Steve Nardulli James Nicholson

Margaret Noe Steve Perbix

Alexandra de St Phalle Jay Reece

Dennis Rendleman Todd Ringel

Mike Robinson Steve Roth

Roger Rutherford Dale Schempp

William Seith Steve Skelton

Kelli Smith John Taylor

Selina Thomas Mike Vujovich

Chuck Watson Zee W illiams

Randall Wolter Christine Zeman

And ISBA Staff Members:

Ann Boucher, Paula Magdich, Brenda Todt, Vicki Runkel, Donna Schechter

Student Assistants: Chick Munson, Paris Riley

Center for Civic Education

The link provided above directs you right to lesson plans for middle school and high school grades. A student text that features questions, pictures and text as well as a teacher handbook that states the lesson overview, lesson objectives and procedure is provided for each lesson plan. The only material required for each lesson is the student text and teacher handbook. No other materials are required. Plans involve reading, answering questions, writing essays and group discussion. Topics include defining American government, voting, and civic participation. Each lesson is very easy to enact and perform. There is no other research or materials needed for any of the quality lessons provided.

Ask Eric

Over twenty lesson plans provided on a wide range of topics. Plans for grades kindergarten through high school are available. Plans involve reading, writing, group discussion and Internet activities. Just click on the topic and grade level adjacent to it to get the lesson that fits what you are looking for. Each lesson is clearly organized by a brief description, grade level, concepts covered, procedure, objectives and tying it all together section. Each plan also tells you what materials are needed for each project. Most of the lessons use items such as paper clips or paper bags that the teacher can ask the students to bring into class a head of time. Any other material needed is provided on the site. This page is very simple to use in that subject headings are provided and each lesson plan is clearly laid out and ready to use.

Civics Online

Concepts of separation of powers, patriotism, life, liberty, justice and diversity are featured in several lesson plans for grades K through 12. Just specify what grade and topic interests you into the search box and the site will find a lesson plan idea for you. This site does not provide teacher handbooks, student guides or reproducible material but gives project topics and ideas that are very simple and easy. Most lessons would use one class period of 50 minutes or so to finish the activity. This site provides a lot of ideas that can be broadened by the teacher to incorporate skills of writing, reading and math with civic education.

The National Constitution Center

An extensive list of civic education lesson plans for grades K-12. Over one hundred lesson plans submitted by teachers from all over the country are featured on this site. Lesson plans are based on an array of issues pertaining to the rights given to citizens by the U.S Constitution such as freedom of speech, the right to vote and the right to privacy. Each main topic is featured on the link above. Find the title that interests you and click on it to find lesson plans categorized by elementary, middle and high school. There are between one and ten lesson plans given under each category. Each lesson plan is clearly subtitled by its objectives, goals, procedure, conclusion and so on. The site provides any reproducible material that is needed for the lesson plan. This site provides some very creative and innovative ideas on how to teach concepts of the Constitution while demonstrating reading, writing, social interaction, creativity and critical thinking skills.

Columbia Education Center

A searchable database filled with lesson plans categorized by grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Just scroll down the page to find a topic that interests you, click on it and you will find an organized and well-written lesson plan that is very easy to read and follow. Most of the lessons and projects include using an array of

resources such as phone books, magazine articles, pictures and so on, which the teacher or students can bring into class. Any reproducible material needed is provided in the site, but most lessons do not require any. This site is very easy to use and provides dozens of plans that require use of skills such as reading, writing, creativity and group participation.

CongressLink

Lesson plans are organized by six subjects, which include Congressional history, Congressional powers, Congressional processes, Members of Congress, The U.S. Constitution and other. Just click on the subject that interests you or scroll down the page to view all of the topics and lesson plans. Plans are available for grades 6-12 and each provide materials such as handouts for teachers to distribute to the class. Lesson plans range in activity with some requiring role playing, writing, reading or creating a project using art supplies. Each plan is clearly organized and states what subjects it covers, how long it will take to complete, what grades it is suitable for, what materials are needed and the procedure for performing the lesson plan.

Scholastic.com

Lesson plans and reproducible materials are available for grades K through 8. Just click on social studies, then civics and government and then the topic that interests you. Topics include citizenship, elections, the President, the Constitution etc. Each lesson plan is easy to follow and states the lessons goals, procedure, conclusion and materials needed. Most of the lessons require art supplies or items that teachers or students can bring into class. The site also features Internet activities that could be done in a computer lab that ask students to find answers to questions on the web using specific sites provided. Any kind of reproducible material that is needed, for example, worksheets of questions for an Internet activity, are provided on the site.

National Archives and Records Administration

Features one lesson plan teaching civic responsibility to high school students. All materials that are required for the lesson are provided by the site for teachers to reproduce and hand out to each student. Students will first be asked to read the material handed out to them, which is a story about baseball player and civil rights advocator Jackie Robinson. Then students are asked to reflect in writing on a series of scenarios read out loud by the teacher. The class is then lead in a discussion about what they wrote and thought. This lesson plan is not only a lesson in civic responsibility but also introduces students to primary sources and gives them a first-hand experience on an issue they might not have ever thought about before.

The PBS Kids Democracy Project

The PBS Kids Democracy Project features three main topics that are suitable for

grades 3-6. The main topics of how government affects me, inside the voting booth and the President each incorporate aspects of social studies, math and language art skills. Each topic features a main activity and four to six integrated lesson plans. The main activities allow Internet interaction and can be done as a class or done separately in a computer lab. For example, the main activity under how government affects me is a navigational town that allows students (or a teacher with an overhead projector) to click on different buildings such as a fire station or courthouse to learn more about what it does and how it affects your life. The town features excellent graphics and allows students to "visit" that place while learning all about it in a classroom. The main activities are followed by lesson plans that are clearly subtitled and organized. Each lesson also provides all the information and reproducible material that is needed. This site is highly recommended because it allows teachers to infuse civic education into other aspects of learning such as math or writing, which can provide a clear understanding to the student that those skills are used in everyday life and therefore are important to learn. The site is very well put together and provides all the information needed to teach each lesson effectively.

Basic Readings in U.S. Democracy

An extensive list of speeches, court cases, government agreements and more that begin with the Declaration of Independence and ending with excerpts from the 1992 Presidential debates. A very good reference for teachers to refer to and use.

The U.S Department of State: International Information Programs: Freedom Papers

The freedom papers are a series of seven papers that discuss aspects of democracy. Freedom papers are: Freedom Paper No.1: Building Free and Independent Media Freedom Paper No.2: Teaching Democracy Freedom Paper No 3: The Role of the Legislature in a Democracy Freedom Paper No 4: The Role

of the Independent Judiciary Freedom Paper No. 5: Administering Higher Education in a Democratic Society Freedom Paper No. 6: Public Access to Government Information Freedom Paper No. 7: Creating and Disseminating Law in a Democratic Society

Constitution Basics

Describes and defines basic concepts associated with the Constitution. Concepts include: Popular Sovereignty Rule of Law Separation of Powers and the System of Checks and Balances Federalism Judicial Review Individual Rights

The Signers of the Constitution

Information on all thirty-nine signers of the Constitution as well as a digital picture of all the signers debating.

The Constitution Game

A game that will take about one class period that involves students forming groups and describing the Constitution Convention.

The Ratification of the Constitution

Provides an article and numbers relating to how the states voted on the Constitution. The page also provides several suggestions on how to teach and present the material.

Landmark Cases

An extensive list of landmark Supreme Court cases that death with issues guaranteed under the Bill of Rights. Each case is briefly summarized and gives the year it was decided. List can be used as quick reference and can be printed off the computer.

Provides the latest information about current Supreme Court cases that deal with issues under the Bill of Rights. There is a link for each amendment to make getting specific topic information easy for teachers and students.

Contains information and links, which are divided into three sections of philosophical roots, Founding Documents and Bill of Rights. Features games, activities, primary documents and more.

Features eleven different essays, articles and so on that focus on the issue of religion in America.

Ten articles, essays and other documents related to freedom of expression. Features articles by the American Civil Liberties Union, The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression and more.

Eleven articles and related materials that focus on the issue of guns in America.

Features two materials under the general topic and several more under two categorizes of search and seizure and the death penalty.

Publications

Children's Literature and the Social Studies Series

Three books that each focus on connecting children's literature to geography, history and civics.

Preparing Citizens: Linking Authentic Assessment and Instruction in Civic/Law-Related Education. Features ideas of how to incorporated civic and law-related education into core learning.

What Makes A Good Citizen? Models in Literature.

An outlined lesson plans that contains all the information and handouts on the web that can be printed out. Students will be asked to read excerpts from stories and then answer questions and discuss their answers. Lesson is for elementary grades.

A well organized and outlined lesson plan that contains all the information and handouts on the web. The lesson studies and examines different aspects of laws and freedoms in America and how these ideas relate to different cultures and traditions. Lesson is suitable for middle school and high schools grades.

Asks high school or middle school students to explain, discuss and apply the meaning and definition of tolerance in American society.

Constitution Quizzer

An online quiz that helps students learn about government and the U.S. Constitution.

May It Please The Court

Audio tapes that feature live audio recordings of significant Supreme Court cases. Cases include topics such as abortion, free speech and more

The Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents

Inaugural addresses from George Washington to George W. Bush that are in full text and easy to find. Just click on the year next to the president's name.

Ten trivia questions about the presidency with on-line answers.

A role-playing game that has four students pretend they are Richard Nixon, Theodore Roosevelt, Grover Cleveland or Andrew Jackson. The rest of the class decides if any of these presidents abused their power while in office.

Lesson clarifies and examines the words and meaning behind the Pledge of Allegiance. All materials that are needed are available to be printed right off the computer.

Printable worksheets that contain questions and diagrams about the three Branches of Government.

Lesson that incorporates aspects of math, language art, science and social science to study what causes crime and what can be done to get rid of it. All materials needed are provided. This lesson is recommended for sixth grade students.

Research completed by Amanda P. Graduate Assistant in the Center for Legal Studies, University of Illinois at Springfield

Everything you need to conduct Dialogues is on the site (listed above), including an online Law Day contest in which students will pick books, movies, and historical events that have most effectively conveyed or established American freedoms. The ABA is eager to hear about the Dialogues you condcut and they hope you will use the site's online registration to give them the details of your classroom visits.

Thanks.