- Contributing to Evidence-Based Discussions: Students prepare claims, evidence and reasoning in advance of the final trial and then refer to the materials during the trial to contribute to the discussion.
- Norms/Active Listening: Students adhere to a specific and complex set of norms to participate effectively in the mock trial, while also demonstrating active listening, especially as a juror, when students need to paraphrase other students’ words to come to a verdict.
- Oral Presentation: Students make a presentation, either as a prosecutor or defense attorney in opening and closing remarks or as a witness in their explanations and answers to questions during the trial.
With teacher Becky Wright acting as judge, students also gained insight into the process of a legal trial; learning its order, understanding how a trial affords each defendant certain rights and experiencing the struggle of jury deliberation.