In Grade 6 Humanities, students in Claudia Edwards' classes have been learning about the Law Code of Hammurabi in order to explore some of the lasting innovations that came from ancient Mesopotamia. In class students looked at some of the laws inscribed in the code, asking questions like: What do these laws tell us about life in ancient Mesopotamia? Are these laws fair? What are the consequences for breaking the law? How does this compare to the legal system in the United States?

 

In order to expand their understanding of the law, Grade 6 had a special guest, law professor Jordana Goodman, come to school and teach students about the role of a trial court in the United States. Jordana led the students in a mock trial to understand basic court procedure and to learn about how courts are used to solve disputes. Students became witnesses, prosecutors, defense lawyers, members of the jury, and other court personnel to determine the guilt or innocence of a teenager accused of breaking the window of a neighbor’s house.