This manual is for volunteer attorneys and law students in the Grand Rapids Bar Association's 3Rs Program. It covers program goals, lesson plans, and classroom procedures for eight sessions at Ottawa Hills High School.
This document is the Instructor's Manual for the 3Rs Program (Rights, Responsibilities & Realities), a civics education initiative by the Grand Rapids Bar Association and the Justice Foundation of West Michigan, in partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools. It is intended for volunteer attorneys and law students who will teach small groups of students at Ottawa Hills High School.
The manual begins with a program overview and goals: improving understanding of the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, increasing interest in civic issues, providing career counseling, and improving the pipeline of students of color into legal careers. It lists sponsors and contact information for program coordinators.
A user's manual section explains how to prepare for classroom visits, use the curriculum materials, and adjust lessons for 50-minute class periods. It describes the structure of each lesson tab: a lesson outline with suggested script, a corresponding student worksheet, and optional student activities. Supplemental materials include a copy of the U.S. Constitution and a glossary.
Lesson 1 is an introduction to the 3Rs. It includes a team leader script for introducing the program, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and concepts like precedent and the balance of rights. It also covers a video presentation and small group discussions where students introduce themselves, share goals, and explore career interests.
The manual emphasizes respect, small group discussion, and face-to-face interaction. Volunteers are encouraged to use real-life current events to illustrate lessons and to adapt the format to their students' needs. The document provides sample questions for getting students to talk about their interests and future plans.