An Eagle Lands in the Supreme Court's Courtroom

There are some very innovative teaching tools being used to help educate students about government. Recently, fourth graders from New Albany 2-5 Elementary School in Franklin County wrote to Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor. They were learning about Ohio history and government, and they sent a colorful picture of their school’s eagle mascot. They asked her to take a picture with the eagle and then describe where the eagle had “landed” and why it was important. The Chief Justice was more than happy to accommodate the request and posed with the eagle on the bench of the Supreme Court’s courtroom. Her letter back included information about the court. This 

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor

is just one example of an entertaining project to spark students’ curiosity about a branch of government and involve students in the learning process.

There are some great resources available to teachers who are looking for ways to engage students, including the Supreme Court’s Visitor Education Center and the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education. A question for teachers in our state: What programs do you find useful in civics education?

On the Road Again

In just a few weeks, the seven justices of the Ohio Supreme Court will travel for the fall session of our Off-Site Court Program, where twice per year we convene in official session at a location outside Columbus. This will be our 67th trip since the program was started by the late Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer in 1987.

Crawford County will be our host on October 23 when we hear oral arguments in three cases beginning at 9 a.m. at Bucyrus High School. This is a chance for students to discover how different appellate cases are from the typical TV court portrayals of justice in action.

Students and teachers from Bucyrus, Buckeye Central, Colonel Crawford, Crestline, Galion, and Wynford high schools received curriculum material beforehand, including summaries of the cases that will be argued. Volunteer local attorneys worked with the educators at each participating school to explain Ohio’s judicial system and help review the case materials. The preparation for the event is truly a team effort! 

On Wednesday morning, we justices will meet with the students for a question-and-answer session before the first scheduled argument. First, Chief Justice O’Connor introduces each justice who then has a moment to talk. I usually mention the 5 important skills that we need to properly do our jobs as judges: the ability to listen, read, think, write and speak – skills that continue to be developed in high school and beyond. Then at question time these young men and women can show their curiosity about their state court system. 

After attending oral arguments, students will meet with the case attorneys for a debriefing and discussion of the legal issues in the case they just heard. Generally, this is the favorite portion of the event for all involved.

You can find more information online about the Supreme Court Off-Site Court Program as well as a video showing footage from past sessions. We are looking forward to being in Crawford County.

Summer Recess is Over

For many Ohio schools, a new year has begun, or will soon. The Supreme Court of Ohio also has been on its summer recess — its break from hearing new cases. But the recess ends next week when we justices are to hear oral arguments in eight cases.

Courtroom of the Supreme Court of Ohio
at the Thomas J. Moyer
Ohio Judicial Center

We hear a variety of cases. Some come to us automatically and some are accepted as cases of  general or public interest.  Some have questions arising under the Ohio or U.S. Constitutions.  Others are cases in which two or more courts of appeals have issued conflicting opinions. From late August every year until June, oral arguments are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday mornings on the cases that the lawyers have briefed.

The lawyers for each side have 15 minutes to argue their positions. Each of the seven justices may ask questions at any time, and often a dynamic exchange occurs about the facts or law of the case being argued. The attorneys are signaled when they’re getting low on time: a yellow light signals that there are two minutes left, and a red light signals stop. The same morning after a case is argued, we deliberate and a justice is assigned to write the decision, in the form of an opinion, for the court. On average, an opinion is published within four to five months. 

 

I encourage you to watch streaming video of the arguments available through the Ohio Channel. It’s a great way to see your judicial system in action. You can then read the published opinion on our website, www.sc.ohio.gov.

FLASH - for OHIO Teachers!

We were given this information on short notice, but the iCivics program is looking for teachers to give input to help design a new product. The curriculum team and developers from Filament Games are hosting an asynchronous focus group via Google Docs. The feedback would be a written-form focus group that gives you a new set of questions to ponder each day and engage with other teachers. Instead of a video conference, you would just comment on the questions throughout the week.

The goal of the questions is to look at how you overcome classroom challenges, and how iCivics can help you with those problem areas. Teachers would only spend about 15 minutes a day from August 13-16.

Please RSVP to Carrie Ray-Hill at carrie.hill@icivics.org by Monday, August 12 with your preferred email address if interested. And feel free to share with other teachers who you think might be interested.

Grant applications due Sept. 15

Teachers – We know that field trips may be in danger of being crossed off your lists this year due to tighter budgets, so we would like to help.

Are you interested in getting a grant to help your class see the Supreme Court of Ohio in Columbus?

The Visitor Education Center is now accepting grant applications for consideration.

The grant may cover up to $400 in field trip transportation costs for your students to visit the Supreme Court of Ohio during the 2011-12 school year.

Time is ticking and will run out on Sept. 15.

A visit to the Ohio Judicial Center is a great way for your students to experience government and for you to supplement your classroom lessons.

Your students could even have the chance to talk to me about why courts are so important in our everyday lives.

Find the application at this link: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEZESnBfR21oaFZ5SWxJbU94bEZ5OHc6MQ.

Best of luck – we hope to see you and your class!