ASHLAND — The Big Bad Wolf isn’t so bad after all — at least, according to the opinion of Reagan Elementary’s second grade students.
The students got to play the jury in a trial of the State of Ohio v. The Big Bad Wolf at the Ashland County courthouse Friday morning.
The trial consisted of the boys in Jim Visintine’s second grade class portraying the three little pigs, who brought the case to court. Girls in the class played the wolves. The rest of the second graders were on the jury.
Visintine, one of Reagan’s second grade teachers, was the pigs’ lawyer while Lori Williamson, a reading coach, was the wolves’ attorney.
Judge Karen DeSanto Kellogg presided over the trial.
What’s the point of this activity?
Visintine first began the activity when he was serving as a long-term substitute teacher in 2003. This is the first year they’ve hosted it in the Ashland County courtroom.
He said part of the second grade curriculum consists of comparing and contrasting different books against each other. Students are also supposed to learn about the judicial system at that age, and the trial offers them a firsthand glimpse.
He developed the activity to compare the classic story of the Three Little Pigs with “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” by A. Wolf. Each tell a different side of the three little pigs’ story.
Both Visintine and Williamson tried to convince the second graders to take their sides, with the pigs arguing the wolves were killers and displaying evidence like a pig’s ear and ham bone.
The wolves called on witnesses, including Reagan’s principal, Nicole Brodie, along with characters from other children’s books. They focused on tales where wolves were portrayed as misunderstood, or even as good guys.
“All of those Disney stories you’ve been reading that have been brainwashing you? Forget it,” said Williamson, who served as the wolves’ lawyer, in her opening arguments. “What about choice? Did you know that some wolves can be vegetarian? They’re not even interested in little sausages or bacon.
“So, I need you to have an open mind.”
Inside the courtroom
Visintine and Williamson pulled out several stops each throughout the trial.
As Visintine and the boys presented the three little pigs’ case, some of the students portrayed expert witnesses to offer their testimony.
One boy played a “wolf-ologist” and identified the pigs’ blown-down houses as the result of a “wolf-nado.”
Other students played the roles of a principal and teacher at “Wolf Elementary School,” and shared testimony about how the wolves ran the school with a pack mentality.
One particularly dramatic part of the trial came when two students walked into the courtroom portraying Doordash employees and delivered “piggies in a blanket” to the wolves.
Gasps came from the crowd as the defense attorney for the wolves claimed the wolves were allergic.
But once the wolves took the stand, the narrative changed.
You should be kind, and you shouldn’t bully other people, even when we’re different. We should try to understand our differences.
Judge Karen Desanto Kellogg
The defense proclaimed several of the wolves had asthma and therefore, couldn’t have blown a house down.
They also made the case that the wolves were vegetarians and wouldn’t have been interested in eating the pigs.
Plus, they went on the offensive, bringing in multiple witnesses to testify that the wolves were being bullied at school and needed support rather than a guilty verdict.
The jury bought the wolves’ argument.
Learning resilience
While Visintine said students always have fun with the activity, and it allows a way to apply academic concepts, the trial also comes with larger lessons.
He said he’s always grateful for the support the activity receives. Over the years, several colleagues and community members have stepped up to play critical roles as lawyers, judges or otherwise helping prepare the students for their day in court.
Beyond engagement in the classroom, Visintine said one thing he aims to teach his students is resilience. Only one team can win at the end of the day. But Visintine said he tries to make sure his students understand that before the trial.
Afterwards, he added, each side has to compliment each other, sharing what they liked about the other’s approach. That teaches sportsmanship, whether you’re on the winning or losing side.
When Judge DeSanto Kellogg read the judgment from the bench, she left the second graders with a similar message.
“I hope you kids and wolves take it really seriously because I heard some important themes,” the judge said. “Some of those things are that people can change. People should be forgiven.
“You should be kind, and you shouldn’t bully other people, even when we’re different. We should try to understand our differences.”
