You are invited to participate in the Third Grade VIRTUAL Mock Trial in celebration of Constitution Day!

We have partnered with the Kansas 10th Judicial District Court in Olathe, Johnson County, Kansas to offer the Third Grade Mock Trial Event, nationwide on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, 2025, beginning at 11:30 a.m. EST (10:30 a.m. CST).

Judge Robert J. Wonnell of the Kansas 10th Judicial District Court in Olathe, Kansas began this program with third graders at Forest View Elementary School over 10 years ago. We have expanded this event beyond third grade classrooms in Olathe, to all of Kansas, and now nationwide! We hope this will continue to be an annual event.

• We encourage you to watch this four-minute promotional video featuring Johnson County Kansas Judge Wonnell and an Olathe third grade teacher!
• Here is a special letter of invitation from Judge Wonnell about this big event!

Constitution Day is a great way to enrich social studies instruction in your classroom. The mock trial experience also connects to the HGSS focus standard for third grade, which is that societies are shaped by the identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and groups, and the reinforced standards that choices have consequences, and individuals have rights and responsibilities.

Students will make connections with the third grade social studies content by learning about their community and the civic duties that people perform, such as following the law, showing respect for others, and even serving on a jury. By participating in the mock trial, students will learn about the court system, the branches of government, and the Constitution of the United States!

The provided instructional materials will prepare students for the mock trial event. Students will explore why we have rules and laws, learn about the different jobs of court officials, and take a virtual courtroom tour! Your students will enjoy learning about the court system in advance, which will enrich the entire experience.

In order to participate, you must register for the event using the registration page on the navigation menu. You are encouraged to use the mock trial instructional materials page to access the before, during, and after activities. Doing so will allow students to fully experience this amazing learning opportunity.

Email Johnson County Kansas Courts with any questions you might have.

We truly hope that you will join us for this free, live, interactive nationwide event on Sept. 17. What a great way to celebrate Freedom Week and Constitution Day!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2024 Constitution Day Mock Trial! There were over 13,000 students from 542 classrooms in attendance across our state! Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert, Governor Laura Kelly, and Senator Jerry Moran (live from DC) joined to impart knowledge of the three branches of government. And we learned that the National Constitution Center planned to observe from Philadelphia as well! It was an incredible event and so much fun!

A YouTube recording of the Mock Trial is available at this link.

We hope everyone returns next year to partcipate in our 2025 event!