Our annual Moot Court for elementary kids has made the ABA Journal! We hosted 150 6th grades from Kent Gardens Elementary School in McLean, Virginia this year. They sat through a trial of the three little pigs and a class on forensics led by a detective. The trial was a double murder and attempted murder case based on the Three Little Pigs. B.B. Wolf was acquitted.
We have received some hilarious responses in past years from the kids:
“I want to go to law school because the chairs are REALLY comfortable.”
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“First of all we were just happy we got a field trip that doesn’t bore us to death!”
“P.S. Thing 1 also came on the field trip. Here is a piece of Thing 1’s hair for Detective Braden to scan. LOL!”
[Note: Pink fuzzy stuff was glued
to represent Thing 1’s hair –which a picture of Thing]
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“I was pretty suspicious about the wolf because of his story and how he said it. First of all how can a wolf be friends with a pig? And second of all, when he mentioned that he played Wii, the pig didn’t even mention about that. Also, the wolf said that when he was playing Wii, he was Luigi and that Curly Pig was the princess. Well, in Wii tennis, you can’t be Luigi or the princess.”
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“One part I like was B.B. Wolf brandishing a fork and knife at Curly.”
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“…after the trial I noticed that why would a pig buy a Wii a pig can’t even grab the controller.”
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“I really liked the trip yesterday. During out first presentation with Inspector Braden I was literally almost totally enthralled by what he showed me it was so cool. I really enjoyed the fake trial with the three little pigs. The thing that would have proven him innocent was the Wii. If there had been a Wii then the wolf would have been innocent, if there had not been a Wii then the wolf would have been guilty.”
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“I really enjoyed the mock court trial, though I think that the reason the B.B. Wolf was proven innocent was because everyone thought he was cooler.”
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“I didn’t know that no one was allowed to speak to the jury. That will make a good trivia question for a game show.”
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“I’m jealous of the ones who get in to that awesome place, even though only about 3% of the ones who try out even get in!” [referring to law student getting into GW Law]
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“It really got me interested in law, even though my dads a layer and has already pressured me enough to become one as well. I also enjoyed that we were able to come to your beautiful University and got to sit in those amazing swively chairs”
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“I was interested in what the policeman was talking about and thought that having the pigs come in and take his lunch put a good twist on things. I also loved those chairs we sat in! I was surprised that nobody fiddled around in them, it must have been the amazing powerpoint presentation.”
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“When I seen the permission slip I thought it was just a chance to get out of school, but was I wrong.”
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“I liked that there was a trial about the three little pigs. It felt like I was watching a movie, I was surprised how good the law students were at acting I’m sure they could have a career as actors/actresses.”
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“I really enjoyed how organized everything was, because a lot of times out field trips are complete chaos. I want to become a lawyer (or a chef) and I though that it was really interesting.”
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“I think the Wolf was innocent!”
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“Detective Braden has an awesome job. He must really have good eyesight.”
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“I wish I could bring my little brother to court because he always gets me in trouble.”
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“I learned that you could not talk to the Jurors and that you could find a footprint in a flower pot!”
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“I never knew identical twins don’t have the same fingerprints.”
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“I loved the chairs!”
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“Thanks for everything especially for bringing the judge for us (he was cool). Again, thanks a million.”
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“On the witness stand you must be scrupulous…If one is found guilty he must be chastened.”
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“When I entered, it was like entering a fancy hotel lobby.”
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“I got home last night and I found out that my dad had you as a Professor when he was in law school.”
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“The best two things that I like most was the chairs where we were with Inspector Braden, and the cookies. They were off the hook.”
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“I thought/liked the way it was all planned and organized. (Like) there weren’t awkward moments where you (or anyone else) had nothing to say.”
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“The brownies were rather addicting I must say.”
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“I learned many things when I went to George Washington Law School, but you might have already guessed that the highlight of my day was the water, milk, and cookies. You have inspired me, I wanted to do many things in life, but never thought that being a lawyer would be one of them; but now it is.”
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“The three little pigs and the wolf was really interesting, and they are very good actors/actress. It was really funny when you said: “The judge, we are honored to have this judge he is one of the most brilliant master minds in the country” then you went to the bench. I was laughing so hard, that was really funny; maybe I should start using that joke!”
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“This is part of our grade, but that part doesn’t really matter because I had a really fun time and I wanted to let you know…
…P.S. My teacher will get mad if he reads the last paragraph!”
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“My Name is Gillian and I’m 11. I like soccer and I have 2 dogs. One is 4lbs and her name is Peanut. The other is 25lbs and his name is Teddy. They are both lhaso Apso Poodles (mutts). I have blond hair and freckles across my nose. Last I have 2 sisters and 1 brother.”
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“And finally, I liked the milk and cookies because the cookies were actually homemade and there was a large variety to choose from. Also, who doesn’t like milk and
For the story, click here.
As a former teacher I love it when kids can have fun and learn in the process. Bravo for a great program!
I want the name and phone number of the lawyer that managed to get B. B. Wolf acquitted. Not that I plan to do a crime, or that I think I’ll ever really need it but, if I ever have to reach into my purse for the number of a criminal lawyer I want one so good that can get the Big Bad Wolf acquitted. It’s only being prudent.
Srsly, this is the kind of experience that sticks with a kid and I wouldn’t be surprised if 20 years from now there are students in law schools, police academies and chemistry classes that had their imagination first tweaked in that direction by these moot court proceedings. Fixing the memory (as a positive stimulus) in their minds with a dopamine flood due to the awesome chairs and brownies is pure genius. Pure genius.
Buddha sayed:
“To add to your confusion – The judge is the one wearing the costume.”
________
Buddha/Budda, you are always so helpful with solvin’ my confusin’
However, one real *character* in the photo is wearing a black robe, but is that just a ploy by a disingenuous prosecutor….
As kids, we all hear’d tell of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but nary a thang ’bout one in a black robe.
Well you should CharlesC, You are twice as old.
Hopefully I enjoy my time at GW Law half as much as these kids did.
“The judge, we are honored to have this judge he is one of the most brilliant master minds in the country”
SCOTUS career opportunity indeed!
To quote the Spanish Inquisition, “Bring in the comfy chair!”
FFLEO,
To add to your confusion – The judge is the one wearing the costume. 😀
I am confused. In the first picture above, which critter is the judge?
Those lucky kids!
Ah yes…the one thing that really sells GW to children…the chairs…
“When I seen the permission slip I thought it was just a chance to get out of school, but was I wrong.”
My sentiments exactly!!
Who was that jurist that allowed this travesty of justice resulting in the acquittal of BB Wolf? Well it appears even our fictional wolf got better justice than the gang at Guantanamo.
I remember being a Moot Court Judge at the School I went to. It was kinda fun. It was fun tweaking the minds of people who wished to be good lawyers. I did not do Moot Court because it would have taken away from any social life that I once knew. Well some people are just slow learners. Yep. That would have been me.
What a lot of folks don’t understand, law school is not hard. Its just a hell of a lot of reading. Sometimes over and over and over.
Good Going GW. Take them young, learn them smart and they will always be in your heart.