Preparing Staff for “The Cookie Jar Case”

Training Tips

Introduction

Welcome to the staff training notes for The Cookie Jar Case, a series of 5 hands-on lessons in debate and argument designed around a mock trial for 9- to 13-year olds. This program is ideal for after-school programs, summer and vacation camps, scout troops, church youth groups and anywhere that young people gather. Even though The Cookie Jar Case is based on another project (The Cookie Jar Mystery), it can be taught even when students haven’t participated in the previous program. The course materials summarize the “crime”—so you can jump right in with the trial, or use this program to extend the experience of students who’ve already worked as “gumshoes” in the Cookie Jar Mystery.

Who can teach The Cookie Jar Case?

Any responsible, enthusiastic and well briefed group leader, teacher, volunteer, parent, or other motivated adult can teach The Cookie Jar Case. The text is easy to read and understand, the set-ups are detailed and uncomplicated, and the processes and procedures are clearly explained in the Lesson pages. Adults act as coaches and mentors, and guide learners as they proceed through the lessons.

What special skills does the instructor need to teach The Cookie Jar Case?

No special technical (or legal!) skills are necessary to teach The Cookie Jar Case. Instructors should be well organized, motivated and observant individuals. Volunteers--such as other instructors or parents--can be helpful in ensuring that all students are proceeding through their roles and making progress in their understanding. The Cookie Jar Case is fun, so enthusiastic and positive instructors are essential "cheerleaders" in the learning process.

The Cookie Jar Case seems to contain a lot of legal terminology and procedures. Wouldn’t it be better if we had a real lawyer helping out with the project? If you’re like most Americans, you’ve sat through hundreds of hours of Law & Order or Boston Legal episodes. You know more about the law than you think you do—and there’s no law against you learning right alongside your students! We’ve designed each activity to teach an important lesson in critical thinking and reasoning in the context of a trial process. These activities promote both fun and learning, and the Notes for the Instructor (provided in each section) offers the "context" in which learners’ understanding is scaffolded and strengthened. It’s the story—the authentic situation—that makes students eager to take on new roles.

How can instructors most effectively deliver the lessons in The Cookie Jar Case?

Teaching any lesson in The Cookie Jar Case is easy if the instructor is well prepared. Follow these steps before every lesson.

Read the entire lesson before you teach so you know what sort of outcome you are trying to achieve.

  • Familiarize yourself with the vocabulary and background information.
  • Identify the corresponding pages (where appropriate) in the Student Activity Book and review them so you know how to guide students to "fill in" their part of the activity. This step is essential because much of what students accomplish in their books will ultimately contribute to reaching a “verdict” in the mock trial.
  • Open the Course Kit and locate all of the materials you need for each lesson.
  • Set up your classroom so that it’s easy for students to work in groups of 2 or 4.
  • Set up your demonstration area with all appropriate materials at hand.
  • Review any safety precautions related to the particular lesson you are going to teach, and make sure you know where emergency help and supplies are located.

Review the entire lesson with any volunteers who will help you teach the lesson.

One your lesson has started...

Before you begin each lesson, it’s critical to review"the case so far " by reminding students of the materials and processes they’ve explored in previous lessons. It’s essential to activate students’ prior knowledge, and stimulating their memories of the story will help them make sense of what they are learning. Trials are cumulative processes, and the sequence of presenting evidence through the activities will inevitably lead jurors to their verdict.

Don’t hesitate to review some of the vocabulary at the beginning of the lesson. And you can wrap up any lesson by asking students if any has new questions, new insights, suggestions, or an inkling of how the trial will turn out.

When you introduce new material and procedures, take a moment to assess how much students already know. For example, in the lesson dealing with the way in which the courtroom works, ask students to offer their own ideas. By examining their ideas, we can identify gaps in their understandings, and also areas in which their understanding can support the learning of their peers. Questions and discussion help students to become self-reflective, an important habit of mind for critical thinking. Students will be stimulated and excited when they get a chance to "show off" a little of their legal knowledge.

Extend your lesson

Instructors particularly those with access to computer labs can extend their lessons by reading through many of the activities described in the Other Directions, Discussions and Destinations section at the end of each lesson. Even if there’s no computer available in the classroom, many activities can be adapted by an instructor who takes the time to visit the recommended websites before delivering a lesson.

Consult your Colleagues

Many lessons in The Cookie Jar Case have cross-disciplinary applications. Talk with other teachers in your school or program about the ways in which what they are teaching might connect to your lesson. As you plan and prepare, ask your colleagues for good "discussion starters.” Show them the activity sheets and materials you are using, and ask for their experience in teaching about making strong and persuasive arguments. The Cookie Jar Case is a great jumping-off point for lessons in character education, too!

A note about safety

All of the materials and activities in The Cookie Jar Case have been prepared with the greatest concern for student and instructor safety. Please read safety precautions closely before every lesson and make sure that when you are working you have provided adequate light, space, and information to ensure that all participants are afforded the highest level of safety possible.

And don't forget to have fun!
 

Preview the Train-the-Trainer PowerPoint Here!

Download the complete PowerPoint and training script below:

Cookie Jar Case Staff Training Cookie Jar Case Staff Training