(OKLAHOMA CITY – Dec. 23) Three high school teachers were awarded cash prizes by the Oklahoma Bar Association for law-related lesson plans they submitted during an OBA-sponsored civic education program this summer.

A selection panel of educators and attorneys reviewed the plans and announced the winners on Dec. 6. Recipients are first-place winner Jan McClaren of Claremore High School, second-place winner Tina Fugate of Stillwater High School and third-place winner Beth Whipple of Putnam City West High School.

OBA President Mike Evans said the teachers entered their lesson plans during the 16th annual PACE (Programs Advancing Citizenship Education) program held at Oklahoma City University in July.

“This year’s ‘Know Your Courts’ theme gave teachers a firsthand look at the Oklahoma justice system,” Evans said. “Participants visited courthouses, attended interactive workshops and listened to guest speakers. Through these teachers, Oklahoma students can become better informed and more active citizens.”

McClaren received $500 for her lesson plan, “Judgment Day,” a game that is designed for students in grades nine through 12. The game is an activity to help students remember major points about the law and understand several U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Players must answer question cards correctly in order to make it around the board to the judge’s bench with 12 jury cards that find the player “not guilty.”

McClaren said the purpose of Judgment Day is to help her students review concepts they have learned throughout the semester.

“A lot of brain research indicates that neurons that wire together fire together,” McClaren said. “I like to do activities that are both visual and hands-on because it helps the students remember things longer.”

Although the game was created as a review activity, McClaren said the concepts covered in the game have made her students more knowledgeable of their rights.

“It’s given them an opportunity to become aware as young citizens, and it’s given them an interest in the law,” she said.

Fugate was awarded $250 for her plan, “Who’s Your Daddy,” which was created for 11th and 12th graders. Whipple received $100 for her plan, “Findlaw.com: The 24 Hour Hotline,” designed for grades nine through 12. Both Fugate’s and Whipple’s activities are available online.

The PACE Institute is sponsored annually by the Oklahoma Bar Foundation and the Constitutional Rights Foundation Youth for Justice Program. The institute is part of the OBA’s comprehensive statewide Law-related Education (LRE) Program which is committed to emphasizing the concepts of good citizenship. Other LRE programs include in-service workshops, peer mediation programs, lesson plans, video courses, teacher receptions and anti-drug programs. LRE services for educators are free. For more information, contact the OBA/LRE Department at (405) 416-7023.