Mr. Sedivy's
History Classes:

More Features:

American Government
- Class Activity -

The Trial of Goldilocks

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Once upon a time there were three bears who lived in a house in the forest. There was a great big father bear, a middle-sized mother bear, and a tiny little baby bear.

One morning, their breakfast porridge was too hot to eat, so they went for a walk in the forest. While they were out, a little girl called Goldilocks came through the trees and found their house. She knocked on the the door and, as there was not answer, she pushed it open and went in.

In front of her was a table withe three chairs, one great big chair, one middle-sized chair, and one tiny little chair. On the table were three bowls of porridge, one great big bowl, one middle-sized bowl, and one tiny little bowl - and three spoons.

Goldilocks was hugnry, so she sat in the great big chair, picked up the biggest spoon and tried some of the porridge from the great big bowl. But the chair was far too big and hard, the spoon was too heavy, and the porridge too hot.

So Goldilocks went over to the middle-sized chair. But this chair was far too soft, and when she tried the porridge from the middle-sized bowl it was too cold. So she went over to the tiny little chair and picked up the smallest spoon and tried some of the porridge from the tiny little bowl.

This time it was neither too hot nor too cold. It was just right - and so delicious that Goldilocks ate it all up. But she was too heavy for the tiny little chair and it broke in pieces.

Then Goldilocks went upstairs, where she found three beds. There was a great big bed, a middle-sized bed, and a tiny little bed. First she lay down on the great big bed, but it was very big and far too hard. Next she lay down on the middle-sized bed, but that was far too soft. Then she lay down on the tiny little bed. It was neither too hard nor too soft. In fact, it felt just right, and Goldilocks fell fast asleep.

In a little while, the three bears came back from their walk in the forest.Father Bear looked around, then roared in a great big growly voice, "SOMEBODY HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY CHAIR!"

Mother Bear said in a queit gentle voice, "Somebody has been sitting in my chair!"

And Little Bear said in a small squeaky baby voice, "Somebody has been sitting in my chair, and has broken it!"

Then Father Bear looked at his bowl of porridge and said in his great big growly voice, "SOMEBODY HAS BEEN EATING MY PORRIDGE!" Mother Bear looked at her bowl and said in her quiet gentle voice, "Somebody has been eating my porridge!" And Little Bear looked at his bowl and said in his small squeaky baby voice, "Somebody has beeen eating my porridge, and has eaten it all up!"

Then the three bears went upstairs. Father Bear saw at once htat his bed was unmade, and he said in his great big growly voice, "SOMEBODY HAS BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BED!" Mother Bear saw that her bed, too, had the bedclothes turned back, and she said in her quiet gentle voice, "Somebody has been sleeping in my bed!" And Little Bear looked at his bed, and he said in his small squeaky baby voice, "Somebody is sleeping in my bed, NOW!"

He squeaked so loudly that Goldilocks woke up with a start. She jumped out of bed and ran down the stairs and out into the forest.

And the three bears never saw her again.

Back to the top of page

Assessment and Time Line

In a trial situation the process must come to you automatically. For this reason we will have periodic quizzes over lecture material and handouts. These will not be a surprise; you will have at least one day’s notice.

Class participation and teamwork are critical to the success of this unit. For this reason there will be 200 points possible in this area.

Witnesses will submit a type two-page statement as a rough draft. Witnesses will give one copy to your team and one copy to Mr. Sedivy. This will be critiqued, graded then returned. 200 points.
Due date: ______________

Witnesses will then submit a typed three page final draft. Witnesses will give one copy to your team and one copy to Mr. Sedivy. This will be graded and bound for a class record of the trial. 500 points.
Due date: ______________

Police/ DNA need to obtain official police reports and fingerprint cards. You will also submit a type two-page statement as a rough draft. Witnesses will give one copy to your team and one copy to Mr. Sedivy. This will be critiqued, graded then returned. Be sure to included interviews evidence and the like. 200 points.
Due date: ______________

Police/DNA will then submit a typed three page final draft. Witnesses will give one copy to your team and one copy to Mr. Sedivy. This will be graded and bound for a class record of the trial. 500 points.
Due date: ______________

Attorneys will submit a typed two-page copy of your opening/closing statements and questions you plan to ask witnesses. What will your game plan be? Strategy? Attorneys will give one copy to your team and one copy to Mr. Sedivy. This will be critiqued, graded then returned.
Due date: ______________

Attorneys will then submit a typed three page final draft. Witnesses will give one copy to your team and one copy to Mr. Sedivy. This will be graded and bound for a class record of the trial. 500 points.
Due date: ______________

The trial will be video taped so we can evaluate your successes through peer and self-evaluation. 500 points.

BONUS: 100 points will be awarded to the winning team. If there is a hung jury neither side will receive bonus points.

Gold E. Locks will be arrested, fingerprinted, and charged: ______________

Trial by judge will be held: ______________

Trial by jury will be held: ______________

Back to the top of page

Trial and Judicial System Information
Officers of the Court / Characteristics of a Trial
Courtroom Demeanor / How to Dress for Court
Testifying in Court - The DOs and DON'Ts
Trial Tactics and Tricks Used by Attorneys
Common Trial Objections During Testimony
Courtroom Definitions

(Printer Friendly Version of Info Above)

Class Activity
The Trial of Goldilocks

| Return to US Government | Back to the top of page |