Lawyers for Learning

The activities provided on this page were designed to be used in conjunction with Lawyers for Learning. Lawyers can use these activities in the classroom with relative ease.

First Lady Jessica Doyle, State Bar President-elect Michelle Behnke, and State Bar Law-related Education Committee Cochair Mike Tobin of the Public Defender's Office spoke to more than 75 fourth and fifth graders at Marquette Elementary School in Madison at the inaugural Lawyers for Learning program presentation on March 9, 2004.

The four activities included on this page were designed for an elementary audience - specifically, students in 1st through fifth grades. However, you can adapt them to an even younger audience. The activities are intended to target issues such as fairness, authority, and respect for the rule of law while giving students an opportunity to interact with real lawyers and judges. The activities provided give students an opportunity to role play and participate in mock trials. Engaging in these activities will help students understand basic legal concepts while exposing them to what lawyers really do.

If you need any additional information or materials, please contact Dee Runaas, Law-related Education Coordinator, at drunaas@wisbar.org, or contact Mike Tobin at tobinm@mail.opd.state.wi.us or by telephone at (608) 266-8259.

Resource materials

• School Rules Presentation (Word document 33 KB)
• Mock Trial Script for Elementary School Children (Word document 33 KB)
• Introduction to Law for Elementary School Children (Word document 31 KB)
• Role Play - Officer & Driver (Word document 30 KB)