Second Graders Take Their Government Lessons to the Courthouse

Our second graders took their government lessons beyond the classroom with a recent field trip to the county building!

As part of their social studies curriculum, students are learning about the three branches of government, with a special focus on the judicial system this quarter. During their visit, they had the opportunity to meet some of the people who help our local justice system work each day.

Students met Judge Michael J. Ekdahl; Ryan Beaudry and Tate Duvall with the Sheriff’s Office; Kirsten Thater, Court Clerk; Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Anthony Juillet; and Liz Elliott, Managed Assigned Counsel of the Office of Assigned for Cheboygan. They learned about each person’s role in the judicial process and had plenty of opportunities to ask questions along the way.

Students then put what they learned into action by using the courtroom to conduct their own mock trial: The Case of the Missing Cookies. Taking on different courtroom roles gave them a firsthand look at how a trial works—with a little fun mixed in!

Thank you to everyone at the county building who took the time to welcome our students, show them around, answer their questions, and provide such a memorable hands-on learning experience!