Part of Lesson Plan: The History of Conflict Resolution & The Jury System

Activity Overview / Details

The teacher should stage a conflict in class.  Enlist the aid of four students: one to act as the accuser and three to stand accused.  The accuser should accuse the other three students of breaking a school rule such as using a cell phone to text during class. The accused student should deny the charge.

The teacher should explain that the accused will go on trial and the class will determine by vote which historical method of trial will be used.  The teacher should ask all the participants (1 accused and 3 accusers) to each write one of the methods of trial on the board. The teacher will ask each student to vote on their method of trial and ask one of the participants to record their vote under the appropriate method.  The teacher will also ask the student to explain their reason for selecting that particular method.