Lesson 4: Cluster 2 - Juvenile Justice Vocabulary

What influences a person’s choices?

What are some circumstances that can affect your ability to get to school?
What are some things you commit to doing at school?
What are some consequences if you come late to class?
Who did you contact when you needed help with your homework?
How can you show empathy for someone who is having a bad day?
What is one thing that makes a behavior seem juvenile?
What is a sign of maturity in a high school student?
What items would you try to salvage from a house fire?

Circumstances
Commit
Consequence
Contact
Empathy
Juvenile
Maturity
Salvage

9.12.8 determine the meaning of words and phrases in oral presentations and literary and informational text.

Reading for comprehension
Writing for comprehension
Understanding and applying vocabulary

DOK 1-3

Recall information
Cite evidence to support vocab

The Age of Maturity
Restorative vs. Punitive Justice
Judge Hoffman’s Focus on the Family

Vocabulary & Idiomatic Misconceptions
"Both Sides of the Bench": Because "bench" is commonly taught as a long seat in a park, students may literally picture judges and lawyers sitting outside on a park bench. They might not realize it is a legal metonymy referring to the judge's elevated desk in a courtroom.
"Hearing" a Case: Students often interpret "hearing" solely as the physical act of listening ($auditory\ perception$). They may miss the legal definition: a formal courtroom proceeding where a judge evaluates arguments, evidence, and testimonies.
"Doing Time": Students may translate this literally to mean "spending time" or "waiting." They might not understand that this is American slang specifically meaning serving a prison sentence.
"Front-end Programs" vs. "Back-end Kids": These technical metaphors from Kurt Kumli can confuse students who might interpret them physically (the front or back of a room/building). They may not realize it refers to a timeline of intervention: preventative care (front-end) versus retroactive punishment (back-end).

Differentiation strategies provided in lesson Sentence starters
Visual aids
Small group instruction

Classwork

Participation

Exit ticket 

Slides

Extension