Order in Room 217!

On Friday, we were visited by Judge Griffin, one of the 200 judges who works at the Daley Center.   Our class couldn't believe that there were over 425 judges in Cook County and 200 only at the Daley Center!   Judge Griffin has his own courtroom, similar to how Mrs. Schaab has her own classroom, and hears civil cases that deal with amounts over $30,000.  He shared some very interesting information about being a judge, a lawyer, and even some tough decisions that he had to make!    Judge Griffin has been a judge now for 8 years.

Judge Griffin visited our classroom thanks to the Illinois Judges Association.  The main purpose for Judge Griffin visiting was to read us a story about Abraham Lincoln in honor of his Birthday.  Judge Griffin read Abe Lincoln's Hat, by Martha Brenner.   We learned about the secret of what was inside Lincoln's Hat!

Upon learning about Lincoln and being a judge, we also learned that being a judge requires using something similar to what we are learning right now in terms of responding to questions!  This week, we learned about the R.A.C.E. strategy to help us answer all types of questions, especially those in responses to literature.   Judge Griffin was telling us about how he has to really examine all evidence and how you have to explain how all evidence answers a question.  This was a perfect tie in to our lesson last week!

A huge thank you to Judge Griffin for visiting and for a very insightful lesson!  We ALL learned a lot!





Check out you beautiful window!   A group of Schaab Scholars helped me with an idea to create a mosaic out of tissue paper, contact paper, & cardstock.   Now you can see our classroom window from Wisner.  Be sure to check it out!