California Career and Technical Education Standards

• PS.B.B4.2 Understand important ways in which information is collected, analyzed, organized...
• PS.B.B4.3 Understand laws, legal interpretations, rules, or standards that apply to given ...

California Academic Content Standards (Reinforced)

• ELA.8.R.VCD.1.3 Use word meanings within the appropriate context and show ability to verify thos...5

• What is Probation? - Hooks / Set

  As students walk into the classroom, teacher hands them one condition of probation written on an index card.  As students take their seats and class begins, teacher displays the attached picture of Paris Hilton using an overhead projector/Elmo.  Teacher reads the following excerpt to the class:

  "Paris Hilton is arrested.  Again! In August 2010, Paris Hilton was arrested in Las Vegas for possession of cocaine.  She was arrested just 1 month earlier in South Africa on possession of marijuana charges.  Both charges, however, were dismissed.  In 2007, she pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge, and was sentenced to 36 months probation.  After violating the terms and conditions of probation, she was ordered to 45 days of incarceration.  Two days after reporting to jail Hilton was released and issued 40 days of home confinement with an electronic device for added supervision.  After Hilton's latest arrest in La Vegas, she was released without bail.  If convicted of the felony cocaine possession charges authorities speculate she would receive probation instead of prison time."   

  Continue by letting students know there are over 5 million adults under supervision in our communities, with over 80% of them on probation.  Let students know probation is not only for celebrities- it is a sentencing option, a punishment ordered by the Judge and enforced by Deputy Probation Officers throughout the state.  Refer students to the index card they received as they entered the classroom and ask them to:

  Write a short response to the condition/directive written on their index card, focusing on the following questions (write these on the board for students to refer to) (WRITE): 

  -How does this condition limit what you can do?

  -Is this condition something you are certain you will be able to do?

  -How will this condition help you become a better person?

  -Will this condition make other people feel safe when they are around you?

  Allow students to respond to these questions for approximately 3-4 minutes, and call on different students to share their responses (SHARE).  Guide the discussion by emphasizing on the wide range of terms and conditions of probation, and how these conditions can be confusing if they do not know the meaning of the words they encounter.  

  • Paris Hilton Pic.pdf [ Download ]
• Probation: Vocabulary - Lecture

  Review today's Learning Target: "I can define the vocabulary words related to probation, and can provide a sentence and graphic representation of each word."

  Students will be introduced to this lesson's vocabulary words, through the presentation of a Power Point that contains each one of the words, its definition, and a picture or symbol representing each word.  Students will take notes, which will be used later in this lesson as they complete individual assignments. 

  Vocabulary: Probation, Investigation, Pre-Sentence Report, Probation Officer, Sentence, Rehabilitation, Incarceration, Restitution.

  • Probation Vocabulary [ Download ]
• Applying Vocabulary through Circle Maps - Demo / Modeling

  After vocabulary Power Point presentation, students will receive instruction on how to create Circle Map (one map per each vocabulary word).  These maps include each one of the following components: vocabulary word (inside smaller circle), definition, symbol/picture, sentence, and examples or synonyms.  Please review the information on Circle Maps attached to this section as a reference point. 

  Provide students with a blank piece of paper and have them fold it into four parts, for a total of eight squares.  They will create one Circle Map per square.  Demonstrate the process to be followed and review the information to be included in each map.  Students will use the notes they took during the Power Point presentation to complete their Circle Maps. 

  • Circle Maps.pdf [ Download ]
• Vocabulary Circle Maps - Independent Practice

  After being instructed on the method of completing Circle Maps, students will work on this assignment for the remainder of the class.  Assess students' understanding by walking around the classroom and providing feedback and assistance as needed.
• Closure Activity - Closure

  Have students stop working on their Circle Maps approximately three minutes before class ends.  Remind them today we learned about probation and how millions of people are given this particular consequence due to their criminal behavior.  Explain that the vocabulary they learned today will be very helpful as we continue to learn more and more about probation and how this complex sanction works.  Ask students to think about today's vocabulary, and call on different students to share their sentences with the rest of the class.  Ask them to share the sentence for the word they found most challenging.  Use this as an opportunity to verify they understood the vocabulary and offer suggestions as needed.  Remind students they will continue to work with today's vocabulary and will have plenty of opportunities to continue using these words on a frequent basis.