A Note to Teachers: Check Out A New Planning Source

Dear teachers, I know you’re busy with the final days of this school year. I remember those wonderful field trips and school picnics that started the all-too-short vacation time. But during the relaxing summer, some of my best lesson plans were created. Good teachers never stop planning, do they? Here’s one idea you might consider as you pack for the beach.

The National Center for State Courts has created Justice Case Files, a series of graphic novels about the workings of the courts and their critical role in a democratic society. These easy-to-read, 20-page booklets bring court cases to life to help students enjoy learning about the justice system.

For example, The Case of Internet Piracy, first in the series, tells the story of two trials. Megan, a college freshman, is prosecuted for illegally downloading music files from the Internet as her grandmother fights to get the fair market value for their home in an unrelated eminent domain proceeding. The novel traces the progress of both Megan’s criminal case and the civil eminent domain dispute in clear language at a pace that naturally invites discussion. A preview is available here.

Each booklet includes a glossary of terms used in the story and some have an annotated courtroom diagram. Lesson plans are also available.

So, when your curriculum planning begins for next year, take a peek at Justice Case Files. Until then, enjoy your summer and take that well-deserved rest. Justice Judy

Answers to the Justice Biography Quiz

Before school lets out for summer, let me give answers to all students who tried to answer questions about the Justices who have served on the Ohio Supreme Court since 1803.

1) Which justice served the shortest term? Hocking Hunter
2) Which justice served the longest term? Edward Matthias
3) Which justice was the second longest-serving chief justice? Thomas Moyer
4) Which justice was the first woman to serve? Florence Allen
5) Which justice served with his brother on the Court? Frank Celebrezze Jr.

How did you do? The questions weren’t easy, but remember you can learn more about the 153 people who have served on the Supreme Court of Ohio by clicking http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/SCO/formerjustices/default.asp.

Thanks for playing!

Take the Justice Biography Quiz

It’s that time of year when the Ohio Judicial Center becomes a favorite site for field-trips before school ends.

The 100 fourth-graders that I talked with Monday from Monroe Elementary School sure know their government facts. They answered question after question about the judicial, legislative and executive branches at the end of their visit to the Ohio Judicial Center. To see the session that includes a special visit from a justice who made history long ago, click play on the video below.

We also introduced our new Web site that includes biographies of all 153 justices who have served on our Supreme Court. The Ohio Historical Society helped tremendously in researching this information.
You can read all the biographies by visiting this Web site: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/SCO/formerjustices/default.asp.

Once you do that, see how you do on this quiz on Supreme Court justices. I’ll post the answers next week.

1) Which justice served the shortest term?
2) Which justice served the longest term?
3) Which justice was the second longest-serving chief justice?
4) Which justice was the first woman to serve?
5) Which justice served with his brother on the Court?

Good luck!

Hooray for Heritage Middle School!

Back in November I told you about a statewide video contest to teach Ohio middle school students about the dangers of “sexting” and cyber bullying.

On Monday, the winning team of students and teachers from Heritage Middle School in Painesville was recognized by the Ohio State Bar Foundation, which sponsored the contest.

Congratulations to students Leah Oberstar, Jayden Bowler-Dixon, Nick Severino and Jalen Powell and teachers Justin Vargo, Ryan Delaney and Kahari Hicks for a job well done and for raising awareness about this important issue.

You can view the video by visiting this link: http://osbf.net/what-we-do/b4usend.

Justice Judy Joins YouTube

The Ohio State Bar Association has created a series of instructional videos posted on YouTube for new attorneys who are beginning their careers in the practice of law. I was delighted to be part of that program. While I’m not ready to launch my very own YouTube channel, there are two videos I’d like to tell you about.

In the first one, I make a few recommendations for what new attorneys should know as they begin appearing before judges and the courts. Click here to watch that video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAUcrwq89e8

In the second, I discuss the basics of Ohio’s court system. To watch that one, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpOPYz1dcu4

Although the series is directly primarily toward new layers, I hope this information will be helpful to you, too.

High Tech Education

New developments in technology like iPads, smart phones and cloud computing are changing our lives in many ways. Judges, court personnel and others within the judicial system will be able to keep up with these ever-changing times because of a new Supreme Court educational service.

The Court’s Judicial College launched the Judicial eCademy Tuesday. It allows users interested in education and training to browse courses, access material, register and take selected courses entirely online, all without leaving home or the office.

But the best feature about the service is that it will save time by reducing travel expenses for local courts and money by reducing printing costs for course materials for the Court.

To read more about the eCademy, visit the website www.judicialecademy.ohio.gov/.

Special Award for Court’s Diversity Program

Remember the Ohio Law and Leadership program we mentioned last summer? The American Bar Association honored the Ohio Law and Leadership Institute for establishing a pipeline program for those intending to complete college and enter the legal profession. Interested youngsters from urban neighborhoods receive a chance to study law during the summer at an Ohio law school.

For the second year I spoke to students enrolled in this program – this time in Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. I hope to do the same this summer. Let me tell you, these students work so hard and their stories are inspiring.

This year’s group will be the first class to attend all four years. I can’t wait to hear where they will attend college.

You can read more about the Law and Leadership program by visiting the website, http://www.lawandleadership.org/.