NCJ Number
46746
Date Published
1978
Length
41 pages
Annotation
THIS PAMPHLET IS DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE THE STUDY OF LAW-RELATED EDUCATION TO TEACHERS OF GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELVE.
Abstract
THE GOALS OF LAW-RELATED EDUCATION ARE SEEN AS CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION, THE PROVISION OF SKILLS FOR OPERATING WITHIN THE LAWS OF OUR OWN SOCIETY, AND THE ACQUISITION OF SOCIAL SCIENCE KNOWLEDGE. TODAY, STUDENTS NEED LAW-RELATED EDUCATION TO FULFILL THEIR ROLES AS CITIZENS IN OUR COMPLEX SOCIETY. UNDERSTANDING OUR LAWS IS AN IMPORTANT AS LEARNING HOW TO READ AND WRITE. THE STUDY OF LAW ALSO INTRODUCES SOCIAL SCIENCE CONCEPTS SUCH AS JUSTICE, PROPERTY, AND POWER. WHAT IS UNIVERSAL IN ALL SOCIETIES IS THE PROMULGATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF RULES AND LAWS. BRIEF EXAMPLES OF HOW LEGAL CONCEPTS CAN BE INTRODUCED AT VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS ARE PROVIDED. THERE ARE TWO APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF LAW IN THE SCHOOLS -- AS A SEPARATE COURSE, OR AS CONCEPTS INTEGRATED INTO THE PRESENT CURRICULUM. VARIOUS IDEAS ABOUT HOW THE PRIMARY, MIDDLE, AND JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH GRADES CAN RECEIVE THIS INSTRUCTION ARE DISCUSSED. DESPITE THE DESIRABILITY OF INTEGRATION ACROSS DISCIPLINARY LINES, THE BULK OF THE LAW-RELATED EDUCATION AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL REMAINS IN SEPARATE COURSES. THE CONTENT OF LAW STUDIES IS EXPLORED. A COMMON CLASSROOM ACTIVITY IS TO GIVE THE STUDENTS A 'MIND WALK,' AN EXERCISE IN REVIEWING ALL DAILY ACTIVITIES TO DETERMINE THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS IN THEIR DAILY ROUTINES. VARIOUS WIDELY AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL MATERIALS SUCH AS FILMS AND TEXTS ARE CITED AS EXAMPLES THAT CAN BE USED IN GENERAL OR CRIMINAL LAW COURSES. MANY LAW COURSES ARE POPULAR BECAUSE THE STUDENTS FEEL THAT WHAT THEY LEARN CAN HELP THEM 'SURVIVE' ON THE STREETS. ONE GOAL SHOULD BE TO HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP EMPATHY FOR THE POLICE, WHICH OLDER STUDENTS COULD LEARN BY ACCOMPANYING OFFICERS ON PATROL. A VISIT TO THE LOCAL JAIL WOULD EFFECTIVELY ILLUSTRATE CRIMINAL REFORM. JUVENILE LAW IS ANOTHER AREA THAT COULD BE STUDIED. CIVIL LAW IS USEFUL AS IT TOUCHES ON EVERYDAY LIFE EXPERIENCES. THE CONCEPT OF PROPERTY COULD BE TAUGHT BY GOING TO THE LOCAL COURTHOUSE AND LOOKING UP OWNERSHIP OF REAL ESTATE. CONSUMER LAW IS POPULAR WITH STUDENTS BECAUSE OF THEIR DIRECT INVOLVEMENT WITH BUYING GOODS AND SERVICES. A SAMPLE TRUE/FALSE QUIZ OF 20 QUESTIONS ABOUT GENERAL CONCEPTS IN LAW IS GIVEN. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES IS PRESENTED. RELEVANT LOW-COST PUBLICATIONS BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ARE LISTED. LAW-RELATED EDUCATION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO GROW IN THE FUTURE. THE LEGAL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN GENEROUS IN ITS SUPPORT, AND THE CONTINUED PROSPECT OF FUNDING SEEMS CERTAIN. USEFUL ADDRESSES AND TEACHER MATERIALS ARE APPENDED. (DJM)