by Rabbi Srolovitz's 7th grade Navi class as they staged a full trial to judge the story laid out at the beginning of ספר שמואל ב. With Mrs. Caspe and Rabbi Ross on hand as official judges, and with Mrs. Caspe's 6A class in attendance as observers, class 7A divided up into defense and prosecution teams and, based on both class material as well as independent research, presented statements, rebuttals, and cross-examinations of one another as a wonderful exercise in close reading and analytic reasoning.
The tension in the "courtroom" was palpable, and several times a speaker was challenged on the spot by a member of the other team and was forced to come up with a response on the spot. As the ultimate tribute to the preparedness and debating skills of both sides, the trial ended with a split decision, as Mrs. Caspe felt that the defense had made a stronger case, while Rabbi Ross sided with the prosecution.
Kol Hakavod to Rabbi Srolovitz and his entire class for all of their efforts in making this happen.
