"Our courts have their faults as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal"
- Atticus Finch
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Welcome to the junior year of the Randall T. Shepard Academy for Leadership and Law. We look forward to working with you and are excited about the rigorous, engaging work and varied field experiences we have planned.
Over the summer we expect you to read the Evansville Bar Association's high school mock trial case, State of Kentuckiana v. Jordan Walker and the legal novel A Time to Kill by John Grisham, each in its entirety, and to complete two related assignments. These two assignments are due on Friday, 8/9, the day when all our students are present.
Note: If, in the fall, you request a schedule change and drop this class, your scores on the summer assignments transfer with you to your new classes. If you join our class late in the summer of after the start of the school year, you will have until the end of the 1st nine weeks to complete the assignments.
Dive right in! If you have questions, you can reach us at [email protected] and [email protected] throughout the summer months.
Enjoy your summer vacation and summer reading!
Over the summer we expect you to read the Evansville Bar Association's high school mock trial case, State of Kentuckiana v. Jordan Walker and the legal novel A Time to Kill by John Grisham, each in its entirety, and to complete two related assignments. These two assignments are due on Friday, 8/9, the day when all our students are present.
Note: If, in the fall, you request a schedule change and drop this class, your scores on the summer assignments transfer with you to your new classes. If you join our class late in the summer of after the start of the school year, you will have until the end of the 1st nine weeks to complete the assignments.
Dive right in! If you have questions, you can reach us at [email protected] and [email protected] throughout the summer months.
Enjoy your summer vacation and summer reading!
Your summer Assignment will be due to google Classroom
on Friday, August 12.
Assignment #1 Mock Trial Case
One of the key objectives of the Law Education Course is to teach you how to prepare and participate in a Mock Trial. Your summer assignment is to read the entire case becoming familiar with statements of the witnesses, possible evidence that may be presented, and some basic but very important legal rules and procedures.
For your summer assignment you will begin studying what has become affectionately known as, "The Case." In the fall when you arrive for your first day of Shepard Academy Junior year, you will be expected to know this case forwards and backwards. In order for you to accomplish this task, you will complete an in-depth study of "The Case" using the reading guide posted on Goggle Classroom. My advice would be to read through the entire case at least once then reread the case as you complete the reading guide.
A few things to remember: I know that you are not a lawyer and your experience in the law may be limited or nonexistent. That's o.k.; we can teach the things that you will need to know in order to be successful in this course. However, we do expect that you give 100% effort to everything we do. If you encounter problems or have questions about this assignment, DO NOT WAIT until the day the assignment is due to tell me about them. I will answer your questions so that you may complete the assignment, but the late penalty will be assessed. Please contact me via email over the summer with questions, and I will respond as quickly as possible.
For your summer assignment you will begin studying what has become affectionately known as, "The Case." In the fall when you arrive for your first day of Shepard Academy Junior year, you will be expected to know this case forwards and backwards. In order for you to accomplish this task, you will complete an in-depth study of "The Case" using the reading guide posted on Goggle Classroom. My advice would be to read through the entire case at least once then reread the case as you complete the reading guide.
A few things to remember: I know that you are not a lawyer and your experience in the law may be limited or nonexistent. That's o.k.; we can teach the things that you will need to know in order to be successful in this course. However, we do expect that you give 100% effort to everything we do. If you encounter problems or have questions about this assignment, DO NOT WAIT until the day the assignment is due to tell me about them. I will answer your questions so that you may complete the assignment, but the late penalty will be assessed. Please contact me via email over the summer with questions, and I will respond as quickly as possible.
Mock Trial Summer Assignment
"State of Kentuckiana v. Jordan Walker"
(37 pages)
Assignment #2 - A Time to kill by John Grisham
Before The Firm and The Pelican Brief made him a superstar, John Grisham wrote this riveting story of retribution and justice. In this searing courtroom drama, best-selling author John Grisham probes the savage depths of racial violence...as he delivers a compelling tale of uncertain justice in a small southern town...Clanton, Mississippi.
The life of a ten-year-old girl is shattered by two drunken and remorseless young men. The mostly white town reacts with shock and horror at the inhuman crime. Until her black father acquires an assault rifle and takes matters into his hands.
For ten days, as burning crosses and the crack of sniper fire spread through the streets of Clanton, the nation sits spellbound as young defense attorney Jake Brigance struggles to save his client's life...and then his own.
As your summer assignment, read Grisham's riveting novel A Time to Kill and complete five journal entries. Neither reading "Cliff Notes" (nor any other print or on-line equivalent) nor watching a film version is an acceptable substitute for the experience of reading a novel. While it may supplement your experience, do not attempt to substitute one of these activities for actual reading.
The assignment is worth 100 total points; each journal entry will be scored out of 20 points. Entries may be handwritten or word-processed and submitted to Google Classroom. Each entry will have its own assignment on Google Classroom with a scoring rubric attached.
COMPLETE FIVE JOURNAL ENTRIES
Make sure each entry is labeled by number (i.e. 1, 2, 3). Begin each journal entry on a new page or document. Submit each entry separately to the labeled Google Classroom assignment.
EACH JOURNAL ENTRY MUST BE 250-375 (approximately 1 to 1 1/2 pages). Use the questions below as a guide, paying particular attention to the fictional elements of the novel - characters, plot events, setting, conflict and theme. This is your time to convince me that you are reading and thinking about the novel, so add specific, thoughtful details in your journal entries.
Each response should
Entry #1 - Before You Begin Reading
Before you begin reading, write about your first impression of the book:
Entry #2 - The Beginning of the Novel
After reading the first few chapters, these are some questions to consider:
Entry #3 - The Middle of the Novel
Towards the middle of your novel, these are some possible questions. Remember to include examples from the novel to support your points.
Entry #4 - Before the End of the Novel
Before reading the last chapter or two, consider these questions:
Entry #5 - After Reading the Novel
After finishing your novel:
The life of a ten-year-old girl is shattered by two drunken and remorseless young men. The mostly white town reacts with shock and horror at the inhuman crime. Until her black father acquires an assault rifle and takes matters into his hands.
For ten days, as burning crosses and the crack of sniper fire spread through the streets of Clanton, the nation sits spellbound as young defense attorney Jake Brigance struggles to save his client's life...and then his own.
As your summer assignment, read Grisham's riveting novel A Time to Kill and complete five journal entries. Neither reading "Cliff Notes" (nor any other print or on-line equivalent) nor watching a film version is an acceptable substitute for the experience of reading a novel. While it may supplement your experience, do not attempt to substitute one of these activities for actual reading.
The assignment is worth 100 total points; each journal entry will be scored out of 20 points. Entries may be handwritten or word-processed and submitted to Google Classroom. Each entry will have its own assignment on Google Classroom with a scoring rubric attached.
COMPLETE FIVE JOURNAL ENTRIES
Make sure each entry is labeled by number (i.e. 1, 2, 3). Begin each journal entry on a new page or document. Submit each entry separately to the labeled Google Classroom assignment.
EACH JOURNAL ENTRY MUST BE 250-375 (approximately 1 to 1 1/2 pages). Use the questions below as a guide, paying particular attention to the fictional elements of the novel - characters, plot events, setting, conflict and theme. This is your time to convince me that you are reading and thinking about the novel, so add specific, thoughtful details in your journal entries.
Each response should
- be double-spaced.
- be written in paragraph form which begins with a topic sentence that addresses the overall purpose or focus of the entry.
- exhibit a substantial level of detail that demonstrates your understanding of the novel,
- use present tense verbs when referring to events in the novel,
- use an academic voice (3rd person pronouns - he, she, they) when appropriate, and
- follow the conventions of standard written English.
Entry #1 - Before You Begin Reading
Before you begin reading, write about your first impression of the book:
- What prior knowledge, if any, do you have of this book?
- Consider the title, cover, and chapter titles (if any). What inferences can you make about the book?
- What expectations do you have for the book?
- What questions are generated in your mind?
Entry #2 - The Beginning of the Novel
After reading the first few chapters, these are some questions to consider:
- What has happened, if anything, before the story of the novel begins?
- What's going on as the story begins?
- Who is telling the story? (narrator, point of view)
- What is the setting of the novel? Is the setting important or could the novel be happening anywhere? Why?
- What is the initial or first problem faced by the main character?
- How does the author get you to read on or hold your interest?
Entry #3 - The Middle of the Novel
Towards the middle of your novel, these are some possible questions. Remember to include examples from the novel to support your points.
- What new things are added to the original problem as the novel progresses? How have these complications impacted the main character?
- What plot twists or unexpected events happen as the novel goes on?
- Comment on the style of the novel. Is it easy or hard to follow the events? What makes it so?
- Is the language in the novel difficult or easy? Provide examples.
- Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? What is it? How is it shown?
- Describe any new characters that are introduced. What are their purposes?
- At this point, if it were not required, do you want to finish the novel? Explain.
- Is the plot holding your attention? Why or why not?
Entry #4 - Before the End of the Novel
Before reading the last chapter or two, consider these questions:
- Have the main conflict and any secondary conflicts been settled to your satisfaction? What makes you think so?
- How do you expect the author to conclude the story?
- What makes you think so? What loose ends still need “tying up”?
Entry #5 - After Reading the Novel
After finishing your novel:
- What is the climax of the novel – point of highest interest or suspense?
- How are the major and minor conflicts solved? (What is the novel’s resolution?)
- What were the major events that helped to resolve the plot?
- What message or theme did you get from the novel? How was this message or theme conveyed?
- How has the main character changed over the course of the novel? Provide examples.
- Were you satisfied with the end of the novel? Why or why not?
- Is the novel believable?
- Why would you (or why wouldn't you) recommend this novel to a friend?
- Why did (or didn't) the novel meet your expectations?
- What did you like the most and the least about this novel? Be specific. Think of the plot line, the style of writing, the characters, the setting, etc. when making your comments.
- How has this novel impacted your understanding of the American legal system?