6th Grade Mock Trials

On Wednesday, 6th grade students in Mrs. Reardon-Childs' and Ms. Waxman's classes showcased their skills in research, writing, and persuasive argument with a day of mock trials.

The trials, based on Natalie Babbitt’s novel, Tuck Everlasting, come after weeks of preparation on the part of the students. The students tried 
Mae Tuck, one of the main characters from Tuck Everlasting, for the crimes of kidnapping, trespassing, and murder. Depending on their role, they researched and wrote detailed testimony, opening and closing arguments, and direct and cross-examination questions for the witnesses.
 
“It’s important to note that this is not a play,” said Laura Reardon-Childs, 6th grade teacher. "The lawyers don’t know how their fellow students will answer questions, nor do the witnesses know the cross-examination questions that lawyers will ask, so they have to be ready to respond in character.”
 
Kris Theodoratos, Lower School Director, served as the judge for the trials and the juries, which deliberated and decided the verdicts on Friday, were comprised of students from each class who were asked to impartially evaluate the guilt or innocence of the defendant Mae Tuck based upon the testimony they heard.
Lower School: 11052 Independence Avenue
Middle and Upper School: 20801 Rinaldi Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311  | 818.882.8121
Sierra Canyon School is a private, independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory school for students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 located in Chatsworth, California. The highly cosmopolitan campus community is reflective of the Greater Los Angeles area and the world at large. Students are empowered to realize their greatest creative, ethical, intellectual and physical promise through small class sizes, a diverse student-teacher culture and a family-like environment.