Spring 2008
LAW-RELATED EDUCATION NEWS
Volume 1, Number 3
Oklahoma Supreme Court School and Teacher of the Year INSIDE THIS ISSUE Page 2 LRE Coordinator’s Corner Program Acknowledgements Page 3
School of the Year Marlow High School Marlow High School Principal Tommy Cosgrove passes award to Student Government President, Jake Peck as OBA President, J. William Conger and Justices Colbert, Watt, Opala, Edmondson, Winchester, Kauger, (Reif and Hargrave not pictured) look on.
Citizen and the Constitution State Competition Page 4 Lawyer in The Classroom Page 5 Summer Teacher Institutes
Teacher of the Year K.C. Williams of Edmond Santa Fe High School On behalf of the Oklahoma Supreme court, Chief Justice Winchester presents the Teacher of the Year award to K.C. Williams in recognition of his achievements in civics education. Pictured Left: Justice Yvonne Kauger Full event coverage can be found at: www.okbar.org
LRE
Page 2
Making Connections‌ Jane McConnell, OBA/LRE Coordinator The results of the testing are in (Center on Education Policy, Feb 2008, www.cep-dc.org). In the curricula wars within education, civics education is being declared a loser. Civics education deserves a place at the table when the legislators decide the fate of our future world. Science and math will determine the economic viability of that world; civics will determine its basic value. The discussions of the world need to be continual colloquia of negotiation amongst many different groups, only civics can give us the wherewithal to do that. Civics must be revitalized. We Social Studies teachers need to reach out to our professional staff and administration to revitalize the teaching of civics, beginning as our students enter school and continuing until we promote them to full-fledged citizenship, better-prepared to help continue the sacred trust of maintaining and improving on democracy as they will define it. Teachers, jump start your skills and energize yourself by enhancing skills at the two institutes we will be offering through Law-related Education this summer.
Thank You‌ to those who assisted with the State Citizen and the Constitution Competition. District Coordinators: Miguel Portillo, Rep. Ed Cannaday, Cheri Franklin, Dianna Morgan, Becky Walderbach, and Alumni Coordinator: Brady Henderson Judges: Tracy Pierce Nester, Rep. Ken Miller, Rep. Gary Banz, Judge Jerry Bass, Jane Pennington, Jack G. Clark, Jr., David Hopper, Richard Riggs, Brian Hermanson, Eugene Earsom, Judge David Lewis, Leonard Feuerhelm, Michael Ridgeway, Joe Hill, Judge Lisa Hammond, Frosty Troy, Rita Geiger Showcase Judges: Adam Wilson, Brady Henderson, and Tom McConnell Presenters: LRE Committee Chair, Jack G. Clark, Jr., Joe Hill, J. William Conger, Richard Riggs, Judge David Lewis, Judge Jerry Bass Timekeepers: Miguel Portillo, Becky Walderbach, and Karina Henderson Keynote Speaker: OBA President, J. William Conger This event is made possible through a grant from the Center for Civic Education and individuals dedicated to the advancement of civic education. Thanks for your support and for spending part of your Saturday with us. Left: Jane McConnell, LRE Coordinator; Brady Henderson, Alumni Coordinator; Judge David Lewis, Court of Criminal Appeals Right: Keynote Speaker, J. William Conger, Oklahoma Bar Association President
LRE
Page 3
2008 Citizen and the Constitution State Competition
First Place Winners Norman High School
Students from around the state gathered together to compete in the We the People—Citizen and the Constitution State Competition held January 26, 2008, at the State Capitol. The competitors participated in a mock hearing answering questions regarding the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. The judges evaluated the students on presentation and knowledge of the topic. The competition consists of 6 units addressing various aspects of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Sandranel Bahan’s Norman High School Class ranked highest overall in the 6 units taking first place. Second place winners were Enid High School followed by Rock Creek High School from Bokchito. The unit winners were as follows: Norman High School, Units 2, 4, and 6 Enid High School, Units 1, 3, 5 All contenders did an excellent job!
Second Place Winners Enid High School
Above left: First Place Winners Norman High School with teacher Sandranel Bahan; Second Place Winners Enid High School with teacher Matthew Holtzen; Left: Third Place Winners Rock Creek High School, Bokchito with Teacher Greg Thralls; Above: Showcase Group from Central High School, Sallisaw with teacher Dr. Brian K. Morton
Third Place Winners Rock Creek High School
LRE
Page 4
Lawyers in the Classroom OBA Law-related Education Committee Vice Chair Oklahoma County Bar Association LRE Committee Chair
At the lower grade levels (K – 3), lawyers are often asked to talk about the importance of having rules in society. In making this presentation, the lawyer might dress like a clown or simply wear a funny hat, which would illustrate the importance of a school dress code. At the older elementary levels (grades 4 – 5), lawyers might discuss the formation of contracts or the Bill of Rights. One lesson plan that has been around for many years is the “Bill of Rights Rap” which is still very successful. In the middle schools (grades 6 – 8), the students are often taught about their First and Fourth Amendment rights. Topics covered at the high-school level might include legal history, constitutional rights, criminal law, or methamphetamine awareness, through the INFORM (Information Now For Oklahomans Rejecting Methamphetamine) program. Also at the high-school level, lawyers often present the “Onto Adulthood” program, which can include a discussion of the OBA pamphlet entitled “You’re 18 Now – It’s Your Responsibility!” This guide is a summary of basic legal rights in numerous areas, including employment, lease agreements, family law, privacy, and estate planning. It is a fabulous resource; we encourage you to get your FREE copy from the LRE Department.
Attorney Doneen Jones speaks to 5th graders at Sooner Rose Elementary, Midwest City-Del City Public Schools
Fun Government Sites for Kids
For years, practicing attorneys have given their time to the “Lawyers in the Classroom” program, which is one of the programs administered by the LRE Department. Utilizing lesson plans from the LRE resource library, combined with their own creative juices, lawyers bring these otherwise “dry” legal topics to LIFE for children across our state!
Ben’s Site http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/index.html ☼ ☼ ☼ U.S. Department of Interior http://www.doi.gov/kids/ ☼ ☼ ☼ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://www.hhs.gov/kids/#edu ☼ ☼ ☼ U.S. Department of Energy http://www.energy.gov/forstudentsandkids.htm ☼ ☼ ☼ FEMA http://www.fema.gov/kids/ ☼ ☼ ☼ Department of Treasury http://www.ustreas.gov/kids/ ☼ ☼ ☼ NASA http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html ☼ ☼ ☼ Department of Housing and Urban Development http://www.hud.gov/kids/ ☼ ☼ ☼
Tracy Pierce Nester
LRE
Page 5
NEW! Hatton W. Sumners Summer Institute
2008 LRE CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Foundations of Democracy: Basic LRE 101 June 16-20, 2008 This program curriculum is geared for levels PK-12. The Foundations of Democracy series was developed by the Center for Civic Education . The textbook series focuses on the four concepts essential to understanding the foundations of government and politics. Institute attendees will receive instruction on the Foundations of Democracy curriculum and a FREE classroom set of textbooks. In addition, the Bill of Rights Foundation will present their Being an American Program.
April 22 Project Citizen Districts 2, 3, 4, & 5 Showcase 22-24 Project Citizen District 1 Showcase May 2-6 We the People Citizen & the Constitution National Finals Washington, DC 7th Project Citizen State Showcase Oklahoma Bar Center June 16-20 Hatton W. Sumners Foundations of Democracy LRE 101 Teacher Institute July 13-17 PACE XIX Teacher Institute 22-26 Project Citizen National Showcase New Orleans
Applications are available online at: www.okbar.org/public/lre/default.htm Registration Deadline: April 30, 2008 * * * * * * ALL Expenses PAID * * * * * * *
PACE XIX- Programs Advancing Citizenship Education Oklahoma Government: Know Your Three Branches July 13-17, 2008 Program participants will: • • • • • • •
Receive training from the Bill of Rights Foundation - Supreme Court DBQ’s: Exploring the Cases that Changed History curriculum Receive free resource materials Receive information about LRE programs Receive professional development credits Receive a comprehensive overview regarding the structure of Oklahoma Government Receive a Teacher Stipend Spend a day at the capitol Application available online at: www.okbar.org/public/lre/default.htm Registration Deadline: May 13, 2008 * * * * ALL Expenses PAID * * * * *
PROS Peaceful Resolution for Oklahoma Students A Project of the Early Settlement Programs administered by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, Administrative Office of the Courts, & the Law-Related Education Division of the Oklahoma Bar Association
PROS is a peer mediation program designed to reduce conflict in schools. Training for the 2008-2009 year begins in September. A complete training schedule and application can be found at:
www.okbar.org/public/lre/default.htm
LRE Law-related Education Programs Oklahoma Bar Association P.O. Box 53036 Oklahoma City, OK 73152
Find it Online!
Page 6
PRSRTSTD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OKLAHOMA CITY, OK PERMIT NO. 740
Oklahoma Bar Association
www.okbar.org/public/lre/default.htm
Executive Director
What you will find on the LRE web pages:
Law-related Education Committee Chairperson
• • • • • •
Contact Info News Releases Calendar of Events Description of Programs Useful links Video Library Catalog
FORMS: Free Materials Request Request for Attorney Speaker APPLICATIONS: Hatton W. Sumners Foundations of Democracy PACE XIX Summer Institute PROS Peer Mediation
John Morris Williams
Jack C. “Chip” Clark
Vice Chairperson Tracy Pierce Nester
Law-related Education Coordinator Jane McConnell janem@okbar.org - 405-416-7024
Administrative Assistant Debra Jenkins debraj@okbar.org - 405-416-7023 1901 N. Lincoln Blvd. P.O. Box 53036 Oklahoma City, OK 73152 Toll Free Number: 800-522-8065 FAX: 405-416-7088