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Law Wise

Published by the Kansas Bar Association
Provided for all Kansas school teachers, K-12, on request
P.O. Box 1037 | Topeka, Kansas 66601 | 785-234-5696 | 785-296-4872
Editor: Alisa Arst, Arst & Arst P.A., Wichita
Coordinators: Hon. G. Joseph Pierron, Kansas Court of Appeals, and Meg Wickham, Kansas Bar Association

Law Wise is published by the Kansas Bar Association during the school year. The Kansas Bar Foundation, with Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts funding, provides support for this publication. Published free, on request, for teachers or anyone interested in law-related education, it is edited by Crystal Marietta, Pittsburg, (620) 231-5620. For further information about any projects or articles, contact Ron Keefover, Education and Information Officer of the Office of Judicial Administration, Topeka, (785) 296-4872, or Meg Wickham, Public Services Director of the Kansas Bar Association, Topeka (785) 234-5696. Law Wise is printed at the Kansas Bar Association, 1200 Southwest Harrison, P.O. Box 1037, Topeka, Kansas 66601-1037.

The following issues are available online:

November 2008 - PDF format will open in a separate window
November 2007 - PDF format will open in a separate window
September 2007 - PDF format will open in a separate window
Note: To view and print some of these documents you need special software, available for free at www.adobe.com.

March 2007

• Calendar of Events
• What is a Tort?
• McFacts about the McDonalds Coffee Lawsuit
• Are They Frivolous? You Decide
• Lesson Plan #1: Could it Really be a Law?
• Lesson Plan #2: Classroom Negligence
• Lesson Plan #3: Torts: The Elements of Negligence
• Peace Officer's Pocket Guides to the Kansas Statutes
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• Resources for Law-Related Education

February 2007

• Calendar of Events
• Consumer Education: What you need to know to make good financial decisions
• CARE: Learning to Use Credit Right
• Kansas Lemon Law
• Identity Theft: What Can You Do?
• Lesson Plan #1: Keeping a Money Diary
• Lesson Plan #2: Authentic Writing Experiences and Math Problem-Solving Using Shopping Lists
• Law Matters
• Did You Know?
• Terrific Technology for Teachers

November 2006

• Calendar of Events
• The Connection Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence
• New Animal Laws in Kansas
• Technology for Teachers
• President Bush Signs Bill to Leave No Pet Behind in Disaster Planning and Evacuation
• Law Matters
• Lesson Plan #1: A Tale of Two Critters
• Lesson Plan #2: On the Brink of Extinction
• Did You Know? Fun Facts
• Kansas Animal Statutes

October 2006

• Calendar of Events
• Safe Travels for Children
• Cell Phones - Great New Technology or Latest Per Se Negligence?
• Resources for Law-Related Education
• Ins and Outs of Teen Driving
• Lesson Plan #1: Highway Safety Game Show
• Lesson Plan #2: Traffic Safety Jeopardy
• Technology for Teachers

September 2006

• Calendar of Events
• The New Faces of Law Wise
• Constitution Day 2006
• Constitution Day News
• Law Matters
• KBA YLS Mock Trial Program Needs Coaches
• Kansas Appellate Courts Welcomes You
• Lesson Plan #1: A Visitor from Outer Space
• Lesson Plan #2: Constitution Day
• Resources for Law-Related Education
• Technology for Teachers

April 2006

• Calendar of Events
• A Message from the KBA President
• Liberty Under Law: Separate Branches, Balanced Powers
• History of Law Day
• Lesson #1: Separation of Powers: Connecting the Separate Powers
• Lesson #1: Handout A
• Lesson #2: Separation of Powers: Understanding Checks & Balances
• Lesson #2: Handout A
• Lesson #3: Understanding Separation of Powers
• Pocket Size U.S. Constitutions Available
• High School Advances to National Mock Trial Tournament
• Just Released
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• We the People State Competition
• WANTED: Law Wise Editor

March 2006

• Calendar of Events
• An Overview of Employment Law
• Lesson #1: No New Workers Need Apply
• Lesson #1: Handout A
• Lesson #2: Discriminating Issues
• Lesson #2: Handout A
• Lesson #3: Fair Treatment
• Lesson #3: Handout A
• Pocket Size U.S. Constitutions Available
• Updated! Rights and Responsibilities Booklets for Students
• Teams Advance to State High School Mock Trial Competition
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• 2006 Law Day Kits Available
• WANTED: Law Wise Editor

February 2006

• Calendar of Events
• What is a Contract?
• Lesson #1: Teaching About Contracts
• Lesson #2: Minors and Contracts
• Lesson #2: Handout A
• Lesson #2: Handout A (answers)
• Newsletter Subscription Form
• Bill of Rights Writing Contest
• Bill of Rights Book Available
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• WANTED: Law Wise Editor

November 2005

• Calendar of Events
• Bill of Rights Day is Dec. 15
• Lesson #1: Under Which Amendment Am I Protected
• Lesson #2: Bill of Rights Mural
• Lesson #3: Search Warranted? Exploring Constitutional Rights to Privacy
• Bill of Rights Writing Contest
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Bill of Rights Book Available
• Upcoming Mock Trial Tournament
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• Mock trial Entry Form

October 2005

• Calendar of Events
• Exploring Private Property Rights
• Exploring Property Rights in Kansas
• Resources for Law-Related Education
• Lesson Plan #1: This Land Isn't Your Land
• Technology for Teachers
• KBA Young Lawyers to Sponsor High School Mock Trial Competition
• Courts Welcome Students
• Mock Trial Application

September 2005

• Calendar of Events
• Who Will be the Next Supreme Court Justice?
• Constitution Day News
• How Higher Courts are Formed in Kansas
• Resources for Law-Related Education
• Lesson Plan #1: The Challenge of Selecting an Ideal Supreme Court Nominee
• Lesson Plan #2: Justice for All?
• Technology for Teachers
• What is Constitution Day?
• Appellate Courts Welcome You
• Bill of Rights Institute

April 2005

• Calendar of Events
• History of Law Day
• Law Day 2005 Theme: The American Jury: We the People in Action
• The American Jury: We the People in Action
• Resources for Law-Related Education
• Lesson Plan #1: Goldilocks on Trial: You Choose the Jury!
• Lesson Plan #2: Adopting Rules to Ensure a Fair Trial
• Lesson Plan #3: Jury Systems and Democracy
• Technology for Teachers
• State Mock Trial Tournament Winners
• Law Matters
• Rights and Responsibilities Publications Available for Students

March 2005

• Calendar of Events
• Case Summary & Criminal Law Overview
• Peer Mediation and Youth Court Grants Available
• Regional Mock Trial Competition a Success
• Lesson Plan #1: Innocents Lost: Examining the Fatal Shooting of a Michigan Child by a Classmate
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan #2: Guilty to a Fault: Analyzing Distinctions Between Manslaughter and Murder
• Technology for Teachers

February 2005

• Calendar of Events
• Kansas Curricular Standards
• Rights and Responsibilities Publications Available
• Peer Mediation and Youth Court Grants Available
• Bill of Rights Writing Contest
• Lesson Plan #1: Into Custody and Out of State: Examining Child Custody and Parent Relocation
• Technology for Teachers
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan #2: Mediation and the Adversary Process
• The Law in Kansas: Divorce & Child Custody

November 2004

• Calendar of Events
• How are Judges Selected?
• Oral Arguments Live
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan #1: Justices for All
• Lesson Plan #2: Down for the Count?
• Technology for Teachers

October 2004

• Calendar of Events
• Rights of Citizens: The Right to Vote
• Courts Welcome Students
• Law Day 2005 - The American Jury: We the People in Action
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan #1: The Expansion of Voting Rights
• Lesson Plan #2: How the Law Regulates Who May Vote
• Technology for Teachers
• Law Matters
• KBA to Sponsor Mock Trial

September 2004

• Calendar of Events
• Constitutional Mathematics
• Courts Welcome Students
• Kansas Council for the Social Studies Fall 2004 Conference
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan #1: The Electoral College Game
• Lesson Plan #2: Polling the Electorate
• Technology for Teachers

April 2004

• Calendar of Events
• Law Day
• Statewide Mock Trial competition concludes 2004 season
• Brown v. Board of Education complimentary video available
• Law Matters
• Appellate Courts Welcome You
• Lesson Plan #1: Learning the Hard Way - Examining School Segregation Around the World
• Lesson Plan #2: Fairness & Equal Treatment - A Girl Named Linda
• Technology for Teachers
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory

March 2004

• Calendar of Events
• The Governing Process
• Practicing Law in Kansas Complimentary video
• Peer Mediation and Youth Court Grants available
• Law Matters
• On Your Own and For the Record Booklets Available Free of Charge
• Appellate Courts Welcome You
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan #1: The Street in Front of Our School: Local Laws - Grade level 3-6
• Lesson Plan #2:Learning About State Constitutions and How to Amend Them - Grade level 6-8,9-12
• Technology for Teachers

February 2004

• Calendar of Events
• Brown v. Board of Education turns 50!
• Celebrating Black History month
• Mock Trial update
• Practicing Law in Kansas Complimentary video
• Peer Mediation and Youth Court Grants available
• Law Matters
• Appellate Courts Welcome You
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan #1: A Famous Kansas Child - Grade level K-6
• Lesson Plan #2: Revisiting Separate But Equal - Grade Level 6-12
• Technology for Teachers
• Other Learning Opportunities for Students to Explore

November 2003

• Calendar of Events
• Capital Punishment in Kansas
• Mock Trial
• Supreme Court Summer Institute
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Technology for Teachers
• Lesson Plan #1: : Who Decides Who Dies? Exploring Death Penalty Laws in the United States
• Lesson Plan #2: The Death Penalty System
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

October 2003

• Calendar of Events
• Overview of the Establishment Clause
• Topeka Shawnee Youth Court
• KBA To Sponsor Mock Trial
• Law Day 2004 - Theme Selected
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Technology for Teachers
• Lesson Plan #1: Supreme Court Decisions on Freedom of Religion
• Lesson Plan #2: An Approach to Teaching Religious Tolerance
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

September 2003

• Calendar of Events
• Criminal Procedure - More than What You See on TV
• Teachers Continue Studies During Summer Break
• Images of Freedom
• United States Institute of Peace - Essay Contest
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Technology for Teachers
• Supreme Court In Review
• Lesson Plan #1: From Arrest to Appeal: A Simplified Presentation of the Criminal Justice system
• Lesson Plan #2: Arrest
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

April 2003

• Calendar of Events
• Law Day
• Mock Trial
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Summer Institute Opportunities
• Technology for Teachers
• Lesson Plan #1: Legislators, Police Officers, and Judges
• Lesson Plan #2: What Makes A Good Judge?
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

March 2003

• Calendar of Events
• Landmark Cases In Supreme Court History
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Technology for Teachers
• Lesson Plan #1: Federalism, School Safety, and Congress
• Lesson Plan #2: How Much Do You Know About The Supreme Court?
• Peer Mediation and Youth Court Grants
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

February 2003

• Calendar of Events
• The Right to Counsel - A Fundamental Right
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Technology for Teachers
• Lesson Plan #1: Due Process Freedoms: People Who Make Courts Work
• Lesson Plan #2: The Right To Counsel: A Necessity, Not A Luxury
• Lesson Plan #3: Gideon at 40: Understanding the Right to Counsel
• Peer Mediation and Youth Court Grants
• LRE Around Kansas
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

November 2002

• Calendar of Events
• Recent Developments in the Law Affect Kansas Kids: AMBER Alerts & Drug Testing
• KBA To Sponsor Mock Trial
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Technology for Teachers
• Lesson Plan #1: On The Lookout: What Do You Remember?
• Lesson Plan #2: Teaching About Drug Testing in Schools
• LRE Around Kansas
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

October 2002

• Calendar of Events
• Law-Related Education: Organizations and Resources For Your Community
• KBA To Sponsor Mock Trial
• Law Day 2003 - Theme Selected
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Technology for Teachers
• Lesson Plan #1: Why Do We Need Authority?
• Lesson Plan #2: Role of the Government
• Lesson Plan #3: Wanted: A President, a Senator and a Representative
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

September 2002

• Calendar of Events
• Message from the Editor
• Supreme Court in Review
• Learning From History -Teaching Tolerance in View of Civil Liberties
• KBA To Sponsor Mock Trial
• Kansas Student Takes Second Place in National Photo Contest
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Technology for Teachers
• Lesson Plan #1: Tolerance in Trying Times
• Lesson Plan #2: Learning About Today From Trials In The Past
• Lesson Plan #3: When Life Hands You A Lemon.
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

April 2002

• Calendar of Events
• Law Day
• Supreme Court in Review
• Statewide Mock Trial Competition Concludes 2002 Season
• New Folks Behind the Scenes at Law Wise
• Dialogue on Freedom Law Day Classroom Contest
• Law Day Speech Materials Online
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Technology for Teachers
• Lesson Plan #1: Citizenship is a Special Status
• Lesson Plan #2: Teaching About Drug Testing in Schools
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

March 2002

• Calendar of Events
• How to Become a Naturalized Citizen
• Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America
• American Lawyers Auxiliary Honors Teachers
• Peer Mediation and Youth Court Grants Are Available
• Law Matters
• Naturalization Test Questions
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan: Citizenship is a Special Status
• Terrific Technology
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

February 2002

• Calendar of Events
• First Woman Supreme Court Justice
• First Woman Kansas Governor
• First Woman Kansas Attorney General
• First Woman in Law in Kansas
• American Lawyers Auxiliary Honors Teachers
• Peer Mediation and Youth Court Grants Are Available
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan #1: Ladies First - Women as Leaders in Politics and Business: A Social Studies Lesson
• Terrific Technology
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

November 2001

• Calendar of Events
• Jury Service: Your Duty and Obligation
• Wanted: Law Wise Editor
• Archive of Supreme Court in Review Now Available
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan #1: Your Own Classroom Court
• Lesson Plan #2: Why a Mock Trial?
• Lesson Plan #3: The Most Dangerous Murder Trial
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

October 2001

• Calendar of Events
• Who Holds Court for the United Nations?
• The Romanian Judicial System
• KBA to sponsor mock trial competition
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan #1: Fact Finders-The Media During Times of Crisis
• Lesson Plan #2: Analyzing Rumors & Myths
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

September 2001

• Calendar of Events
• What's New After the 2001 Legislative Session?
• Supreme Court in Review
• Kansas Student Takes First Place in National Photo Contest
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan #1: Powers of Government
• Lesson Plan #2: Impact of Government on the Individual
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

April 2001

• Calendar of Events
• Law Day
• State Mock Trial Competition
• United States Supreme in Review Program to be Broadcast via Satellite in October 2001
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan #1: The Case of the Professional Tap Dancer
• Lesson Plan #2: The Case of Gerry Gault
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

March 2001

• Calendar of Events
• Ethics in the Legal Profession
• Commission on Judicial Qualifications
• Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission
• Regulation of Professions
• Tell the ABA about Your Law Day Program
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• LESSON PLAN #1: Exploring A Code of Ethics
• LESSON PLAN #2: Ethics in American Government
• Appellate Courts Welcome You

February 2001

• Calendar of Events
• The Nuts and Bolts of Juvenile Justice
• Kansas Schools to Participate in Mock Trial Competition
• Rights and Responsibilities Booklets Now Available in Spanish
• Foundation Funds Mini-Grants for Conflict Resolution Programs in Schools
• ABA Images of Freedom Competition Accepting Entries
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• LESSON PLAN #1: Evaluating Crimes
• LESSON PLAN #2: Your Own Classroom Court
• LESSON PLAN #3: Justice
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• Court of Appeals Welcomes You

November 2000

• Calendar of Events
• How Can Your Students Serve in the Legislature?
• Grant Money Available
• Kansas Youth Give Bush a Victory
• A Review of the Supreme Court in Review
• Mock Trial Update
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• LESSON PLAN #1: How a Bill Becomes a Law
• LESSON PLAN #2: How an Idea Becomes a Law
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• Court of Appeals Welcomes You

September 2000

• Calendar of Events
• The Bill of Rights
• Case on Point
• Supreme Court in Review
• KBA to Sponsor Mock Trial Competition
• Law 2000: Young Leaders and the Law
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• LESSON PLAN #1: Concentration--Constitution and Bill of Rights
• LESSON PLAN #2: First Ten Amendment Poster Activity
• Court of Appeals Welcomes You

April 2000

• What is Law Day?
• Origins of Law Day: A Chronology
• How to Celebrate Law Day 2000
• Zero Budget Programs for Students
• Calendar of Events
• Regional Mock Trial Results
• Summer Camp 2000
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Teaching How Citizens Influence Public Policy - Lesson Plan
• Terrific Technology
• Court of Appeals Welcomes You

March 2000

• Who Elects the President?
• Presidential Election Glitches
• The Electoral College
• Law Matters
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• The Presidential Campaign Game - Lesson Plan
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• Court of Appeals Welcomes You

February 2000

• Case on Point
• Capital Punishment in Kansas
• Training Opportunities
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan - The Death Penalty: Just Punishment?
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• Court of Appeals Welcomes You

December 1999

• A Trial of the Century
• A History of the Kansas Appellate Courts
• For the Record now available
• Resources at the Law Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan 1 You and the U.S. Constitution
• Lesson Plan 2 The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game
• Terrific technology for teachers
• Court of Appeals welcomes you

November 1999

• Students' Freedom of Expression Under the First Amendment
• Calendar of Events
• Case on Point
• Resources at the Law Related Education Inventory
• Court of Appeals welcomes you
• Law Day awards recognize unique programs
• Terrific technology for teachers
• Confederate flag: Freedom or speech or racial harassment
• Law 2000: Understanding the role of law in society
• Law Matters available at no charge
• Lesson Plan 1 Using the Internet to express your voice
• Lesson Plan 2 Freedom of the press

October 1999

• Students Rights Under the Fourth Amendment
• Law Matters Newsletter
• ABA Law Day Awards
• Law 2000: Understanding the Role of Law in Society
• Case on Point
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan 1
• Lesson Plan 2
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• Court of Appeals Welcomes You
• Mock Trial Competition
• 'For the Record' now available

April 1999

• What is Law Day?
• Ways to Celebrate Law Day
• KBA Wins Partnership Award
• Calendar of Events
• Mock Trial Update
• Case on Point
• Resources at the Law Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan Equality under the law
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• Kansas Appellate Courts Docket

March 1999

• How a Bill Becomes a Law
• How to Be a Page in the Kansas Legislature
• Resources at the Law-Related Education Inventory
• Lesson Plan 1
• Lesson Plan 2
• Terrific Technology for Teachers
• Kansas Appellate Courts