EDUCATION 8

Most teachers know that learning must at times be fun- almost pure fun but the line between hard work anf fun does not have to be drawn- when the work itself becomes fun then there is no line to be drawn-Students are always eager to try something that might be fun and they are often willing to try something new that might be fun- my search for an assingment that combined both ended when i found a learning tool called FAMOUS TRIALS IN AMERICAN HISTORY the first trial i did with the students was the BOSTON MASSACRE TRIAL OF 1770-this trial has all the elements of fun and learning i was looking for- a pivotal trial in american history it has both the significance of an iconic american history event with a trial that raised significant issues about the American Judicial system- the facts of the BOSTON MASSACRE are well known- almost everyone comes across the famous etching that paul revere did illustrating the tragic event-but the trial is lesser known and it has all the drama of the event itself and more than a few important historical figures- including paul revere himself-and john Adams- an attorney practicing in Boston during that time and later to become our 2nd president.He bravely agreed to represent the defendents in the case- the defendents consisted of mostly British soldiers and officers but the captain[Thomas Preston] invollved was the most intrigiung figure considering the fact that his order to fire on the crowd was at the center of the case- the big question was DID HE GIVE THE ORDER?- that question was the core of the prosecution's case- convinced that he did, they provided several witnesses that testified to that fact- but each witness did have a bias that could be demonstrated and the other witnsses testified convincingly as to the restraint the captain showed under very tryning circumsatnces-the result of the actual trial was to aquit most of the soldiers and the captain- but the result of the trial that one can do in class is another matter-the jury can decide whigchever way they want to based on how effectively the students on either side present their cases- i invariably chose elder ctitizens from the community to serve on the jury- they were remarkably ready and willing to perfom this service for my students and they did a very good job- it was modeling civic duty in a way that almost nothing else would-the students rehearsed their examination and cross examination of witnesses as well as their opening statements- they were not allowed to practice their closing stattemnt as i wanted them to do them extemporaneously for the practice but also for the dramatic effect- no materr how long we practiced we always left room for the spontaneous to occur the day of the actual trial-the studnets loved the work and they did work hard- they also mentioned how much fun it was- we had them create costumes that were appropriate for their roles- and left it to thier parents to be resourceful in finding appropriate attire- lawyers wore vests and or corduroy jackets and suits- dock workers wore jeans and bandanas-they all were endlessly inventive and creative in putting their costumes together and that was fun too- i would serve as the judge- being as impartial as i could- also encouraging them as much as i couyld without helping them too much-and always thinking about the fairness issue and not giving one side more help then another- i would wear a graduaution gown from a nearbye university- it was gold not black but perfect for the purpose of looking dignified and important-I enjoyed the trials as much as the students and i would look forward to having them every year-There were other trials available- one was the salem witch trial-another the Andersonville Trial during the Civil war- But i always liked the Boston massacre Trial the most-it gave the students a chance to not only relive American history but to participate in it-and I am told by may former students that it has left an indelible memory of that period of history in a way that nothing else could-i encourage all teachers of American history to consider holding similar trials in their classrooms-it not only turns the classroom environment into something dynamic and exciting-it always gives a few of them the idea that someday they would like to be practicing attorneys-the natural ability and skill i witnessed among some of them made it clear that they could and would be excellent lawyers.