Page 1: Case File and Evidence

WALT: use evidence and reasoning to prepare a fair courtroom argument.

Case question: Are the three pigs innocent or guilty of killing the wolf?

Key courtroom words

Defendant: the person or group whose actions are being judged.

Prosecution: argues that the pigs are guilty. Defence: argues that the pigs are not guilty.

Self-defence: protecting yourself from immediate harm. Proportionality: whether the response matches the level of danger.

Rebuttal: a respectful response to an opposing argument. Verdict: the jury’s decision.

Brief case file

1. The wolf visited three pigs’ homes and blew down the straw and stick houses.

2. The pigs fled to the brick house. The wolf followed them and threatened them.

3. The wolf entered the brick house through the chimney.

4. The pigs placed a hot cooking pot beneath the chimney. The wolf was injured or killed.

5. The prosecution claims that the pigs set a dangerous trap and caused an unnecessary death.

6. The defence claims that the wolf destroyed homes, threatened the pigs and entered their home, so the pigs acted in self-defence.

7. A medical witness reports that the wolf may have had asthma, which could have affected his breathing.

Important: Asthma is not a joke. It is not proof that the wolf was guilty or innocent, and it does not automatically prove what caused his death. Consider whether this evidence is relevant and reliable.

8. A house-building witness says the pigs used different materials, had different purposes and had different levels of preparation.

Evidence organiser

Complete the organiser. A claim is an argument. Evidence is information from the case. An explanation shows how the evidence supports the claim. Reliability asks how trustworthy or certain the evidence is.

Success criteria:

□ I can make a clear claim. □ I can select relevant evidence. □ I can explain how evidence supports my claim. □ I can consider reliability.

Page 2: Role Preparation

Prepare for the prosecution, defence, witness or jury role. Use formal, respectful language and complete sentences.

1. Opening statement

2. Respectful questions

Useful stems: “Could you explain…?” “What evidence supports…?”

3. Opposing view and rebuttal

Useful stems: “I acknowledge that…, however…” “The opposing side assumes…, but…”

Preparation support: You may use pre-highlighted evidence, paired rehearsal, a sentence stem, a reduced number of questions, or a court reporter/shared role. Ask for a dyslexia-friendly copy, large print, audio, text-to-speech or a read-aloud partner if helpful.

Extension: Distinguish between evidence, inference and assumption. Suggest a more proportionate alternative response and defend it.

Success criteria:

□ I can ask respectful questions. □ I can acknowledge another viewpoint. □ I can give a reasoned rebuttal. □ I can explain whether the response was proportionate.

Exit Ticket: My Verdict