LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Summarize the main steps required to become a public defender and the responsibilities of the job.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 6: Use a goal-setting process to support health and well-being of self and others.

CASEL COMPETENCY: Relationship Skills

Lesson Plan: I’m a Public Defender

PREPARE TO READ

Project the article for students. Ask students to observe the images without reading the text closely: What do you think a public defender does? What traits or skills might be useful/important for the job?

READ AND DISCUSS

Read the article out loud with the class, as students follow along.

Revisit the pre-reading question: What traits or skills might be useful/important for the job? Have students’ answers changed?

As you read, also discuss the following questions:

  • What might be some positive things about this job? What might be some downsides?
  • If you could ask Dorothy one question about her job, what would it be?

RESPOND TO READING

Check students’ comprehension with the comprehension quiz and critical-thinking questions.

To extend the lesson, ask students to write a paragraph about whether they would like the job of public defender. Instruct them to use at least three details from the article as evidence in their paragraphs.

Print the Lesson Plan

Text-to-Speech