Elementary Mock Trial is an excellent way to begin to introduce the concepts of justice, and the judicial process through fairy tale trials.
We all know the stories of Goldilocks, Paul Bunyan, The Three Little Pigs, and others. Through materials from the American Bar Association and supplied to elementary teachers by the South Carolina Bar LRE Division, students can learn about the courts in an interactive fashion. For some trials there are even puppets available from the SC Bar LRE Division for check out.
Using Elementary Mock Trial Cases in the classroom
The fairy tale cases are typically played out by upper elementary student to an audience of primary grade students. There are several roles in each case to include a presiding judge, a bailiff, and attorneys and witnesses for both sides.
Available Cases
The elementary mock trial cases were purchased for the use of creating an Elementary Mock Trial program. The cases are made available on loan from the SC Bar and are to be returned after use along with the corresponding puppets to each case. Available Elementary Mock Trial Cases are listed below.
- B. B. Wolf, v. Curly Pig (Civil Case) The Three Little Pigs
- Emperor v. Swin Del (Civil Case)
- Claude v. The Beast (Civil Case) Beauty and the Beast
- Cinderella v. The Estate of Padre Mia Tremaine (Civil Case) Cinderella
- State of Italia v. Geppeto (Family Court) Pinocchio
- The State v. Jack Robinson (Criminal Case) Jack and the Beanstalk
- The State v. Delphinia Rose Sweetpea (Criminal Case) The Princess and the Pea
- United States v. Paul Bunyan (Civil Case) Paul Bunyan and Babe the Big Blue Ox
- The Queen (Wicked Witch) v. Snow White (Civil Case) Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
- Village of Sheepfold v. Joey Wolfcryer (Criminal Case) The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf
The SC Bar does not give permission to make photocopies of the case materials as the cases are copyrighted. If anyone would like to make copies of a particular case, permission needs to be acquired from the creator of the case materials. If anyone would like to purchase case materials, cost and contact information will be provided.
Points of views or opinions in any of the cases are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the SC Bar.
Costs
While everything is free, there is a $50 deposit to use the puppets that will be returned upon receipt of the puppets to the SC Bar. There is also a non-refundable $1 per puppet shipping fee.
Checkout a Mock Trial Puppet
The SC Bar LRE Division provides puppets for all the roles, including jurors. The case materials and the use of the puppets are available on a “loan basis” for FREE. Once the students are comfortable with their roles, a presentation date can be arranged with the SC Bar LRE Division. A member of the LRE Division will come and film the presentation for the school to keep.
Download an Order Form
Elementary Mock Trial Effectiveness
Effectiveness
By incorporating mock trial in elementary schools, students can learn about the basis of our American judicial system and the mechanics of litigation. In addition, students are encouraged to learn and understand the meaning of good citizenship in a democracy. Mock trial is exciting to share in any classroom or club, and it encourages participation, critical thinking, speaking skills and teamwork. The program also serves to increase cooperation, respect and support between the community and the legal profession. All participants are encouraged to keep in mind that the goal of the mock trial program is to learn and understand the meaning of good citizenship in a democracy through participation in our system of law and justice. All who participate in the mock trial competition are winners in this sense.
Incentives
Trainings for teacher and attorney coaches are provided in the summer and early fall at no cost. Teacher coaches implementing Mock Trial are encouraged to apply for the LRE Teacher of the Year Award, which comes with a $500 recognition award. Attorney volunteers are eligible for the SC Bar LRE Lawyer of the Year Award. School Resource Officers implementing Mock Trial can apply for the LRE Citizen of the Year award.