Democracy, civics and active participation in the community are not things with which we are born — they must be learned. Which is why Classroom Law Project brings vital and engaging civics and law-related education programs into Oregon schools, teaching students at all grade levels the values and skills essential to being a participating citizen in our democracy. Each year, our innovative, timely, practical and fun programs involve and inspire over 400 teachers and 12,000 students from 250 schools in 75 Oregon communities.

 

Sept. 27 Golf Tournament: New Location!

Join us for Classroom Law Project’s 9th Annual golf tournament at it’s new location: the Oregon Golf Club in West Linn.

This Peter Jacobsen designed 18-hole championship golf course follows the natural contours of the land and offers a scenic and challenging golf experience.

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Starting to plan you curriculum for 2010/11?

Let Classroom Law Project be your resource for civics and law-related education!

Oregon Civics Conference for Teachers (Prof Dev)
The annual event draws teachers, curriculum specialists and administrators from across Oregon to the State Capitol for an insider’s view of Oregon government. Participants attend workshops led by representatives from all three branches of government and receive resources, formal training and classroom coaching.
Dec 3 – Civics Conference – State Capitol, Salem

Project Citizen & We the People Showcase (Grades 5-12)
Students travel to Oregon’s State Capitol to 1) present We the People simulated congressional hearings to a panel of legislators, civic leaders and members of the State Champion WTP team; OR 2) defend and display their Project Citizen public policy portfolios during a simulated congressional hearing.
May or June TBA – We the People Showcase – Salem
May or June TBA – Project Citizen Showcase – Salem

Courthouse Experience (Grades 5-12)
A chance for students to learn about the justice system by observing real cases and court procedures at the Multnomah County Courthouse and the Justice Center in downtown Portland.
Oct – June – Courthouse Experience Program – Portland

Youth Summit (Grades 6-12)
A unique opportunity for middle and high school students to question adult experts about timely issues through invigorating and interactive meetings, a setting reminiscent of a congressional hearing.
Sept TBA – 1st Professional Development Seminar for Teachers – Oregon Education Association, Tigard
Nov 2 – Youth Summit – Portland State University
Nov TBA – 2nd Professional Development Seminar for Teachers – Oregon Education Association, Tigard

Mock Trial (Grades 9-12)
This program has proven to be an effective learning tool for students to understand the law, practice critical thinking, and gain greater confidence with public speaking by assuming the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a fictional criminal or civil trial.
Dec 10 – Portland Mini-Mock Trial event – Multnomah County Courthouse
Feb 26 – Mock Trial Regional Competition – 9 events statewide
Mar 11 & 12 – Mock Trial State Finals Competition – Portland

We the People (Grades 9-12, Prof Dev)
A curriculum designed to foster understanding of the institutions of American democracy, including the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The culminating activity is a simulated congressional hearing in which students “testify” before a panel of volunteer attorneys, educators and civic leaders.
Oct 16 – Coaches Workshop – Lewis & Clark Law School
Jan TBA - District Competitions – Pendleton, Eugene, Portland
Jan TBA – State Competition – Portland
Jan TBA – Training for New WTP teachers – Porltand

Law Day (Grades 9-12)
A conference featuring 18 different workshops on legal issues concerning and of concern to youth led by scholars, activists and other experts.
May 4 – Law Day Conference – Portland State University

Street Law (Grades 9-12)
This course places law students in Portland area high schools to teach practical law in coordination with the classroom teacher.
Aug 30 – Fall Street Law Course Begins – Lewis & Clark Law School
Jan 10 – Spring Street Law Course Begins – Lewis & Clark Law School

Project Citizen (Grades 9-12)
Students work together to identify a public policy issue in their community and develop an action plan for local government leaders to use in addressing the issue.
May or June TBA – Project Citizen Showcase – Salem

Professional Development
From personal consultations to one-hour group sessions to one-week courses, CLP brings cutting-edge, best-practices training in civic education to teachers statewide.
Ongoing – Contact CLP to schedule a workshop in your school/district

 

2010 Mock Trial State Finals – DVD Now Available

Watch Oregon’s top two teams battle out this year’s case: State v. Lane – a criminal case where the defendant, a rap artist, is charged with inciting a riot and arson. Hot stuff!

DVDs are available for $10/each (including shipping).

Click here to purchase a copy today!

 

Congratulations to Catlin Gabel!

In Philadelphia, PA on May 6-9 Catlin Gabel School’s Mock Trial Team competed at the National Mock Trial High School Competition against teams from all over the United States.

Catlin finished a solid 21st (of 44) teams. Eli Coon (ace Portland litigator, and mock trial coach and judge Jim Coon’s son) was awarded the “Judge Nicholas A. Cipriani Outstanding Performance Award.”

Click here to learn more about the Mock Trial program in Oregon.

 

Congratulations to our We the People Champions!

On April 24-26 in Washington D.C., Oregon’s very own Lincoln High School (Portland) represented our state at the We the People National Finals.

Lincoln placed 4th nationwide!  More than 1,100 high school students representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands participate in the competition.  Congratulations!

Click here to learn more about the We the People program in Oregon.

 

Tickets “Fore” Charity

Be a spectator at the 2010 Safeway Classic, the best in women’s golf!  This year’s tournament will be held at the internationally renowned Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.

Come and enjoy the event anytime between August 16-22, 2010 AND support Classroom Law Project at the same time! Weekly ground tickets are only $25 each (regularly $35 at the gate).

Tickets “Fore” Charity is a fundraising opportunity through West Coast Bank for Portland Area non-profits. Organizations participate by selling tickets to the Safeway Classic and keep 100% of the money raised from their sales!

To purchase tickets:

  • Download, print, and mail/fax the paper order form.
  • Use the online form at www.tgfigolf.com (make sure to select Classroom Law Project from the charities drop down list!)
 

Volunteer Opportunities

Court Tour Guide, Mock Trial Coach, We the People Judge…CLP is always looking for a few good women and men to make our programs as valuable as possible for the thousands of teachers and students we work with every year.

Whether you are an attorney or not, if you have an hour to spare or all the time in the world, we would love to hear from you!

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Stay informed about CLP’s programs, new workshops, and coming events. When you sign up for email updates, you can specify which programs are of interest to you, update your contact information, and more.  Click here to sign up or edit your preferences…