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My name is Jonathan Stein and I am an attorney in Elk Grove, CA . I am also the co-President of the Joseph Sims PTO.
Last year, I had an opportunity to watch a 5th grade class in Stockton, CA put on a mock trial at the court. After doing some research, and with the support of our administration, I brought this unique program to Joseph Sims. We started with one 5th grade class. 28 students got the chance to put on a trial at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. The students were the attorneys, the witnesses, the judge, and every other job in a real trial.
This year, we have expanded the program to a two year program. In 5th grade, students get to learn the basics and "try" a case that is written for them. In 6th grade, the students learn to write their own questions and answers, figure out their own objections, and write opening statements and closing arguments themselves. This year, we are reaching approximately 120 students.
To date, the teachers and I have covered all of the costs, with help from the parents. We have expenses for transportation that the parents cover every year. However, we have other expenses that we need help with. What do we need?
We are looking at adding three printers so the teachers and I do not have to use our personal printers. Each class ends up printing between 1,000 and 2,000 pages for 1 trial.
We would like to add three mimeoteach pads so the children can follow along on the whiteboard as I teach the materials. This will go a long way to making the educational aspect of this more interactive for the children.
We would like to add a video camera so we can record the children as they practice. This is a great tool for us to use so the students can see what they are doing and how they can improve. So far, we have not been able to record the children.
Then we need the staples: paper, toner, pens, paper, highlighters. We need the "tools of the trade" so the children can learn what a lawyer actually does.
Why do I do this? I never had a program like this growing up. This is a great opportunity for children to be exposed to the law. Not only do they learn the law, but they get to see the different jobs at the courthouse, learn new skills, and get to meet the professionals who make this work - the men and women at the District Court who keep the doors open.
Even today, this program is down in the Los Angeles Unified School District, in the Stockton school district and at Joseph Sims in Elk Grove. We are the only two year program. We are giving children an opportunity to learn these skills and then use them. These are not just skills about how to be a lawyer, but how to ask questions, how to look at both sides of an issue, and how to understand complex issues.
On behalf of myself and these amazing kids, I would like to thank you for your support.
Last year, I had an opportunity to watch a 5th grade class in Stockton, CA put on a mock trial at the court. After doing some research, and with the support of our administration, I brought this unique program to Joseph Sims. We started with one 5th grade class. 28 students got the chance to put on a trial at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. The students were the attorneys, the witnesses, the judge, and every other job in a real trial.
This year, we have expanded the program to a two year program. In 5th grade, students get to learn the basics and "try" a case that is written for them. In 6th grade, the students learn to write their own questions and answers, figure out their own objections, and write opening statements and closing arguments themselves. This year, we are reaching approximately 120 students.
To date, the teachers and I have covered all of the costs, with help from the parents. We have expenses for transportation that the parents cover every year. However, we have other expenses that we need help with. What do we need?
We are looking at adding three printers so the teachers and I do not have to use our personal printers. Each class ends up printing between 1,000 and 2,000 pages for 1 trial.
We would like to add three mimeoteach pads so the children can follow along on the whiteboard as I teach the materials. This will go a long way to making the educational aspect of this more interactive for the children.
We would like to add a video camera so we can record the children as they practice. This is a great tool for us to use so the students can see what they are doing and how they can improve. So far, we have not been able to record the children.
Then we need the staples: paper, toner, pens, paper, highlighters. We need the "tools of the trade" so the children can learn what a lawyer actually does.
Why do I do this? I never had a program like this growing up. This is a great opportunity for children to be exposed to the law. Not only do they learn the law, but they get to see the different jobs at the courthouse, learn new skills, and get to meet the professionals who make this work - the men and women at the District Court who keep the doors open.
Even today, this program is down in the Los Angeles Unified School District, in the Stockton school district and at Joseph Sims in Elk Grove. We are the only two year program. We are giving children an opportunity to learn these skills and then use them. These are not just skills about how to be a lawyer, but how to ask questions, how to look at both sides of an issue, and how to understand complex issues.
On behalf of myself and these amazing kids, I would like to thank you for your support.