ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL

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2009 CRFC Summer Institutes

• 2009 Mock Trial Institute and More Perfect Union Institute (Middle School)
• 2009 Supreme Court Update Summer Institute (High School)
• 2009 Deliberating in a Democracy (DID) Institute (High School)

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MOCK TRIAL INSTITUTE--SUMMER 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

AN INSTITUTE FOR 7TH AND 8TH GRADE TEACHERS INTERESTED IN CONDUCTING MOCK TRIALS IN THE CLASSROOM

The Mock Trial Institute will provide 7th and 8th grade teachers with materials and strategies to effectively carry out a mock trial in the classroom. Session highlights include the implementation of State v Bean, an award winning interactive mock trial DVD created to give students the experience of serving on a jury. A brand new mock trial created to help students learn about our criminal court system in a dynamic and engaging way will be featured. Attendees receive 6 CPDUs.

Download a registation form (pdf). For further information or to request a registration form please call 312-663-9057 or e-mail Marlene Bennett-Stanley (stanley@crfc.org) or Jessica Chethik (chethik@crfc.org.

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MORE PERFECT UNION INSTITUTE – SUMMER 2009
Wednesday, July 15 - Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

A PROGRAM FOR 7TH AND 8TH GRADE TEACHERS WHO ADMINISTER THE U.S. CONSTITUTION TEST

More Perfect Union is a curriculum created for teachers who administer the U.S. Constitution Test to their 7th or 8th grade students. The activities provided in this curriculum help prepare for the Constitution Test and will deepen and reinforce students’ knowledge of our system of government. The dynamic lessons and strategies will show students how the Constitution applies to their lives and help them gain the skills and attitudes necessary to become active and engaged citizens. Attendees receive 12 CPDUs.

Teachers attending the 2-day More Perfect Union Summer Institute will be eligible to receive an attorney partner as part of the Edward J. Lewis II Lawyers in the Classroom Program

Featured Lessons Include

• Examining the Declaration of Independence--Students learn about the Declaration and create a Public Service Announcement to demonstrate understanding.
• Looking at the Bill or Rights through student's eyes--Do student rights end at the school house door? Students participate in a moot court focusing on Tinker v. Des Moines.
• Road Blocks to Change: Presidential powers and limits--Students learn about checks and balances by looking at President Obama success and challenges during his first six months in office.

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Institutes will take place at a downtown Chicago law firm and lunch will be provided. Teachers from year-round schools attending either or both institutes may be reimbursed for release time.

Download a registation form (pdf). For further information or to request a registration form please call 312-663-9057 or e-mail Marlene Bennett-Stanley (stanley@crfc.org) or Jessica Chethik (chethik@crfc.org.

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2009 SUPREME COURT UPDATE SUMMER INSTITUTE

August 5-6, 2009
Chicago, Illinois

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE
The 2009 Supreme Court Update is designed to promote a greater understanding of the Supreme Court of the United States and its roles in American government. This two-day institute will feature two decisions from the Court’s October 2008 Term (2008-2009). Participants will meet with legal scholars, former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, and other experts to review and discuss the implications of the focus cases. Participants also will receive resources about the issues, the Court, and the decisions along with classroom-ready materials. The Supreme Court Update will be held in downtown Chicago. CRFC will provide lodging and reimburse travel expenses up to $200 for participants outside the Metropolitan Chicago area.

NOTE: One of the featured decisions will be the focus of the 2009 Equal Justice Under Law fall semester program. Participation in the Supreme Court Update institute is not required to participate in Equal Justice Under Law.

FEATURES AND HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn how and why the U.S. Supreme Court hears certain cases.
• Examine the facts, constitutional questions, and precedents for two recently decided U.S. Supreme Court cases. Learn how judicial decisions affect state and federal public policy.
• Interact with law professors, former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, and other legal experts who will share their perspectives and demonstrate ways in which resource people can support classroom teaching.
• Acquire practical experience in interactive strategies helpful for teaching students to discuss and deliberate controversial issues and promote their understanding of the Supreme Court and its cases.
• Receive classroom-ready lessons for teaching historical and current U.S. Supreme Court decisions from Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago, Constitutional Rights Foundation, Street Law Inc., and other law-related education leaders.
• Earn 12 Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs) for the institute.

INSTITUTE SITE
The Institute will take place at the offices of the Illinois Supreme Court in downtown Chicago. Participants will receive curriculum materials, continental breakfast, and lunch.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Click here to apply.
The application Deadline is April 30, 2009.
All applicants will be notified after May 15, 2009.
If accepted, you will be asked to pay the non-refundable registration fee of $100 by May 22, 2009.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information, contact Dee Runaas (runaas@crfc.org, 312/663-9057x208).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This institute is a program of the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago. Support for this program is provided in part by the Stuart Family Foundation. CRFC gratefully acknowledges the Illinois Supreme Court for hosting this institute

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2009 DELIBERATING IN A DEMOCRACY (DID) INSTITUTE FOR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATORS

July 13-14, 2009
The Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s Campus
Oak Brook, IL

What is Deliberating in a Democracy?
Deliberating in a Democracy (DID) improves the teaching and learning of democratic principles and the skills of civic deliberation. Since 2004, over 200 teachers and 6,000 students in the United States and in the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet bloc have used DID to gain skills and insights when discussing democratic problems. Results from the evaluation of the 2006-2007 year show that over 86% of the students said that the deliberations increased their understanding of the issues; 80% had a greater ability to state their opinions; 76% developed more confidence in talking about public issues; over 50% talked with members of their family about the issues; and 67% talked with peers outside their class about the issues.

What will I be able to do after this two day institute?

• Conduct an effective deliberation using the Structured Academic Controversy model developed by DID;
• Differentiate between discussion debate and deliberation;
• Understand how deliberation is key to democracy;
• Access materials on controversial issues developed by DID;
• Understand multiple perspectives on controversial issues and examine ways to introduce your students to multiple perspectives.

Who should attend?
The institute is open to Illinois high school teachers who will teach rostered classes in 2009-2010 in one or more of the following subjects:

• Government
• Law
• Global Studies
• World History
• Contemporary American Problems
• Related courses

What will I receive if I am accepted?

• Room and board at the summer institute;
• Innovative curricula and resource materials free of charge;
• Professional/personal relationships with like-minded colleagues across Illinois

Where will the institute be held? Set on the wooded 80-acre international training facility of Hamburger University, The Lodge at McDonald's Campus is run by Hyatt: http://www.thelodge.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp.

Are there other benefits?
YES. Teachers in Illinois are eligible for two additional options:

• Participation in the 2009-2010 Chicago area DID program throughout the school year including future professional development sessions, student videoconferences, and travel to partner countries
• Attendance at the annual Illinois Law-Related Education Conference free of charge on October 23, 2009.

How do I apply?
Click here to apply.
The application Deadline is May 15, 2009.
All applicants will be notified after May 15, 2009. If accepted, you will be asked to pay the non-refundable registration fee of $100 by May 22, 2009. For more information, call Ms. Tawny Lane at CRFC (312/663-9057).

Acknowledgements
This institute is a program of the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago. Deliberating in a Democracy is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools Awards #Q304A040003 and #Q304A070005. CRFC gratefully acknowledges McDonald’s Corporation for hosting this institute.

Last updated: March 31, 2009