Mock Trial: Galileo Galilei
This semester, we spent some time working on a Mock Trial for Galileo Galilei. These were the lesson plans, broken up by the week and the days, that helped guide the students towards putting on an actual trial. This artifact is discussed in greater detail and contextualized in the Galileo Galilei Mock Trial section.
Weekly Lesson PlanWeekly Objectives:
Students will understand the roles and procedures of a court trial. Students will gain research skills to understand the controversy surrounding Galileo in 1633. Students will be able to put on their version of Galileo’s trial in 1633. Day 1: Setting the Stage for a Trial Review the roles of a Trial using this as a guideline. http://lre.ncbar.org/media/27617684/mocktrialguide.pdf We will then assign student roles. There might be more than one person playing the same role. To make sure that jurors do not remain idle during the preparation time, they will work with the witnesses to help them prepare their testimony. Students will then discuss what types of information they will need to play their role. Use Page 41 to go over the background of Galileo’s case. Print out the page for the students and have them read it. We can practice the skill of summarizing with this text as well. Days 2-4: Research & Preparation Students will research their positions using the computers and information packets that I will distribute. They will have to comprehend what happened and decide how they will use the information as they prepare for their trial. Sources in Information Packets http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/galileo/galileo.html admonition/injunction of galileo - http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/galileo/admonition.html Indictment against Galileo - http://hti.osu.edu/sites/default/files/documents_in_the_case_of_galileo.pdf Galileo’s Defense - http://hti.osu.edu/sites/default/files/galileo_defense_1633.pdf Setting - http://www.galilean-library.org/manuscript.php?postid=43821 Overview - http://galileo.rice.edu/chr/inquisition.html Galileo and the Inquisition - http://galileo.rice.edu/bio/narrative_7.html Day 5: Presentation Students will practice and present their final trial. |
Daily Lesson Plan: Research & PreparationOVERVIEW/RATIONALE
Students are in the middle of preparing for a mock trial about Galileo. They will spend the day researching and preparing their case. ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS/ ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS How is a trial organized? What happened to Galileo during his trial in 1633? GOALS/OBJECTIVES Students will understand the roles and procedures of a court trial. Students will gain research skills to understand the controversy surrounding Galileo in 1633. Students will be able to put on their version of Galileo’s trial in 1633. STANDARDS 8.1.9 B. Analyze and interpret historical sources. 8.1.9 C. Analyze the fundamentals of historical interpretation. 8.1.9 D. Analyze and interpret historical research. 8.4.12 A. Evaluate the significance of individuals and groups who made major political and cultural contributions to world history since 1450. 8.4.12 B Evaluate historical documents, material artifacts and historic sites important to world history since 1450. MATERIALS Printouts from http://lre.ncbar.org/media/27617684/mocktrialguide.pdf and http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/galileo/galileo.html Textbook Computers for research (if possible) OPENER Get into your groups: Galileo or the Church BODY OF THE LESSON Students will learn about their specific role by reading primary source documents, secondary sources, and other information that they find on the internet to understand what occurred in 1633. They will use this information to then prepare their statements for the mock trial. I will be circulating around the room to assist students with understanding the sources and coming up with their arguments. CLOSURE Students will wrap up their projects and reflect on their work. Did they enjoy doing it? Do they feel like they are autonomous learners? |