Mock Trial: 3rd Grade Edition

Mrs. Kreps 3rd grade GT class from Lincoln celebrate Team Harry Potter's successful trial.

On June 5th, Mrs. Kreps’ 3rd grade class presented the case of Harry Potter vs Voldemort, with the plaintiff charging the defendant of attempted murder.

For about a month in class, students studied the first Harry Potter book, chose sides, and decided who would represent which characters.  

For the defense, we had Fluffy the three-headed dog, Professor Severus Snape, student Draco Malfoy, Dementors and Voldemort as lawyers and witnesses.    

For the prosecution, we had Dumbledore, McGonagall, Hermione, Hagrid, Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter representing as lawyers and witnesses.  

In the end, the jury of Mrs. Masgras’ 3rd grade class found the defendant guilty on both counts of attempted murder and declared that Voldemort must live as a muggle and be fined 1,000 galleons.  

This was a wonderful learning opportunity for the class, as they really studied character motivation, applied close reading, and got to dress up and become other characters. The students created their own opening and closing statements, along with their questions, plus the cross-examinations. Everyone played their part well and was well prepared! Congratulations all around!

Sonja Kreps

A graduate of Madison Elementary, Harding Middle, and Lakewood High School, I have moved out of Lakewood, but now teach in the wonderful city where I grew up.

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Volume 11, Issue 13, Posted 5:55 PM, 06.09.2015