Res Ipsa Loquitur

Another Lesson from "Law for the Little Guy"

Res ipsa loquitur is a legal term from the Latin meaning literally, "the thing itself speaks" but is more often translated "the thing speaks for itself". It signifies that further details are unnecessary; the proof of the case is self-evident. The doctrine is applied to tort claims which, as a matter of law, do not have to be explained beyond the point where liability is established.

Mnemonic Device:
Rest easy you cheater,
I don't need any more proof
Res Ipsa Loquitur,
Your crime speaks for itself.

Explaining it to the kids:
Its the "no scalpel left behind" term. Say daddy goes in to a doctor for stomach pains after having his appendix removed. X-rays determine that daddy has a metal object the size and shape of a scalpel in his stomach. It requires no further explanation to show the surgeon who removed the appendix was negligent, as there is no legitimate reason for a doctor to leave a scalpel behind in an appendix operation. That surgeon would automatically be found guilty because we wouldn't need any more proof than that to drag his butt into court and sue him for every penny. Then you could have that Nintendo Wii you've wanted for so long.

An Overview of our Curricula

After my last post, I received MANY emails asking about the curriculum series that Mike and I have created. I just assumed that everyone knew about our White Collar Curriculum Series, but realize that was an oversight on my part! Above are book covers of the the first four of our series. As I've said, we are just now working on our "Law for the Little Guy", which should be ready to publish at the end of the summer. On the horizon, we are considering two other books in the series, which should take families through sixth grade. Year 5 being Business and Accounting, and finally, the one we're MOST excited about, "Preparing for a PhD: Finding the Ology That's Right for Your Child".

You can find our curricula at our website: whitecollarcurriculum.com. We also have booths and teach workshops at Home School Curriculum Fairs - watch for us the next time you find yourself walking around the exhibitor's booths. These books are great for moms and dads too! Throw away that trashy, boring, gossip magazine and pick up one of our books when you have some spare time in need of light reading!!

Kid Pro Quo

Mike and I are creating a new curriculum for home schoolers called "Law for the Little Guy (Bring your Kids up to Legal Snuff) ". Here is the first lesson, on Quid Pro Quo:

First, we explain the definition: In legal usage, quid pro quo indicates that an item or a service has been traded in return for something of value, usually when the propriety or equity of the transaction is in question. For example, under the common law (except in Scotland), a binding contract must involve consideration: that is, the exchange of something of value for something else of economic value. If the exchange appears excessively one sided, courts in some jurisdictions may question whether a quid pro quo did not actually exist and the contract may be voidable. (wikipedia)

Then, we come up with a mnemonic device for the concept:

Hey Homey, what's up bro?
I gave 6+3 to you, and got back nine
That’s called a quid pro quo
I scratched your back, you scratched mine

Finally, to cement the concept, we find a way to help the kids apply this to real life. Mike thought to buy some chicks along with the Mallard ducks we get every year (BEST pets ever, because they swim away in 6 short weeks and you never have to clean up their poop again for as long as you live). So we brought these chicks home and told the kids "this is Quid Pro Quo: we feed them for 56 days, then they feed us".