LawNow magazine is an incredible resource for teachers. Each issue offers engaging articles about law in language suitable for students. Teachers Talk LawNow is a series of lesson plans for teachers based on these articles. 

This LawNow article is available to download in the July/August 2012 issue of LawNow magazine :

•  “Corruption and Scandals – A Modest Proposal – Electoral Reform “ Phil Lister, Q.C.

 
Who doesn’t love a good scandal? Politics can be a hard sell to some kids. Grab their attention by starting your lesson with a discussion on political scandals. This article is a great conversation starter to get kids to think about electoral reform and how elections work in other countries.
 
Evaluating Electoral Systems
1. Place students in small groups to review the article and then answer the question, “what reforms to our political system (if any), are required to keep democracy healthy in Canada?”
2. Students will research electoral systems in other countries to create a proposal to change or protect our current electoral system.
3. Hold a class referendum where groups present their proposals to the class. Guide students in a debate on the merits of each proposal.
4. Conclude the lesson with a final class vote on the proposals.

LawNow magazine is an incredible resource for teachers. Each issue offers engaging articles about law in language suitable for students. Teachers Talk LawNow is a series of lesson plans for teachers based on these articles. 

LawNow Article available to download in the July/August 2012 issue of LawNow magazine :

• Which Passport Should I Take to the Olympic Games? – Hilary Findlay

 
Athletes that cheat ruin the spirit of competitive sports, but they also provide “teachable moments” for science teachers. Talking about doping in the Olympics is a stealthy way to teach biology to students.  This LawNow article discusses new anti-doping efforts at the London Olympics.  This is an excellent opportunity to teach about body systems, specifically the circulatory system and respiratory systems.
 
Circulatory and Respiratory Student Teaching
1. Divide your students into small groups. Assign the circulatory system to half of the groups and the respiratory system to the other half.
2. Students will research their system and prepare an interactive presentation for their classmates. This presentation should include

• the role of the circulatory or the respiratory system in the body;
• the parts of the system and their function; and
• an explanation of blood doping and how it relates to their body system.

3. Pair the circulatory system groups with respiratory system groups and have students perform their presentations to each other.