Grade Level:
Elementary/Middle
Overview:
Students are first asked to resolve a hypothetical case via the adversary process. Each student is assigned the role of plaintiff, defendant, or judge. The plaintiff and defendant argue their case in turn, and the judge renders a decision. Students are then asked to reflect on the resolution. They are then instructed to resolve the same case via mediation, and to compare the two methods of dispute resolution.
Time needed:
One class period
Materials required:
Mediation and the Adversary Process Lesson Plan
National Curriculum Standards for Social Sciences, National Council for the Social Studies: