Grade 4 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 6, Lesson 3

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
Oh, California

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 6, Lesson 3: Law and Order (pp. 146-149)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Justice Keeping law and order became difficult in California and vigilantes took justice into their own hands.

Give two groups of students the facts about a crime, such as a robbery. Tell one group that they are prosecuting the case and the other group that they are defending the alleged robber. Then hold court but only allow the prosecutors to argue their case. Use the scenario to discuss the unfair and unlawful actions of the vigilantes and the miners.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Have students write an argument against the actions of the vigilantes and the miners.
Have students draw a sequence scene depicting the events and outcome of the three mining suspects or the James King incident.

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