Goldilocks on trial at West Gates Avenue

From Lindenhurst Schools: Fifth grade students of West Gates Elementary School in the Lindenhurst School District recently participated in the “Trial of Goldilocks,” a curriculum-based cultural arts program written and directed by Hofstra law professor Glen Vogel. The program introduces students to the basic elements of the legal system, strengthens developing skills such as higher order thinking, sequencing and public speaking and improves the students reading and writing skills.

After a series of push-in lessons and preparation, the students, donned the costumes of familiar fairy tale characters and took to the courtroom, a gymnasium in which they acted out a scene in which Goldilocks is on trial, charged with criminal mischief, trespassing and petit larceny. The judge, a member of the West Gates staff, and members of the fourth- grade jury heard evidence from the prosecution and defense and delivered a verdict. “This was a good way to learn because it gave us a better understanding of how the court system works,” said student Aleena Pawa, who played the part of the attorney for the prosecution. “We had to ask reasonable questions. It was realistic and a lot of fun.”