On Friday, May 15, MICDS fourth graders traded their in their classrooms for a courtroom to connect more deeply with their History and Social Sciences curriculum. Most recently, they had been studying the United States Constitution. They explored the three branches of government—the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches—and learned how power is shared and divided among the three levels of government—Federal, State, and Local. What better place to further explore the U.S. government than by visiting the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse!
“On this field trip, we got to tour a lively operating courthouse, hear from speakers, and then reenact a court case in an actual courtroom,” explained Jen Van Dyken, Fourth Grade Homeroom Teacher. “The case our students got to explore was Tinker v. Des Moines.” In the courtroom, students got to choose roles ranging from clerks and attorneys to judges and jurors. “Every fourth grader got a part!” Ms. Van Dyken shared. “Tinker v. Des Moines is a fascinating case, and the students learned about our First Amendment rights and the rights of schools.”
Fellow Fourth-Grade Homeroom Teacher Donna Waters added, “While the kids enjoyed reenacting the Tinker v. Des Moines trial and getting to sit in the various places in the different courtrooms and simulate their roles, they also loved the amazing view of St. Louis from the 27th and 28th floors of the Eagleton building.” What an eye-opening experience for our fourth graders to get to walk in the shoes of and sit on the benches of real government officials!
