1. Accountability in the Court of Law
Juvenile Justice
Accountability in the Court of Law

2. Focused Questions
1. Do you think that sentencing juvenile killers to the death penalty is a “cruel and unusual” punishment? Use “constitutional” or “unconstitutional” in your answer.
2. Should juveniles be punished less harshly than adults? Use “leniently” in your answer.
3. Describe the demeanor of a teenager that you know. Do you think that demeanor would cause a jury to be lenient?
4. Do you think execution should be banned for some age groups of juveniles? Which ones?

3. More Focused Questions
5. What factors do you think juries should take into account when they sentence juveniles?
6. Do you agree with Lundstrom that it’s inconsistent to deny privileges like voting and drinking to teenagers but then sentence them as adults? Why?
7. Do you think juveniles should be tried as adults if they commit especially bad crimes? Use the word “heinous” in your answer.
8. Do you agree with Lundstrom that the media perpetuates the stereotype of violent youth?

4. Reading “Many kids called unfit for adult trial” by Greg Krikorian
“Startling Finds on the Teenage Brain” by Paul Thompson.

5. As you read… Annotate the text.
Ask questions, express surprise, disagree, elaborate, note any moments of confusion or curiosity.
Write what pops into your head! Don’t over-think it.

6. Denotation and Connotation
Denotation: The most specific or direct meaning of a word. The dictionary definition of the word.
Connotation: The idea or meaning suggested by or associated with a word or thing. This term deals with the feeling that a word provoke.

7. Examples Slender vs. Skinny Thrifty vs. Cheap Aroma vs. Smell
Animal vs. Beast
Some words just sound “nicer” than others.
Some words are “loaded” with meaning.

8. Loaded Words Discuss: What do these words suggest about teenagers?
Massive
Wildfire
Purged
Violent passions
Rash actions
Vastly immature
Erratic behavior
Maelstrom
Reckless
Startling
Delicate
Drastic
Discuss: What do these words suggest about teenagers?

9. Summary
Write a six sentence summary of “Many kids called unfit for adult trial” by Greg Krikorian.
Make sure your summary includes the most significant information from the text.

10. Discussion Questions
Develop 5 discussion questions about any topic from the texts that we have read.
Your questions should be under-the-surface questions that can be discussed thoroughly and debated with other students in the classroom.