Judicial Learning Center
Article III and the Courts
What's the best way to make sense of the Constitution? A helpful lesson contains both the text of Article III and annotation of each of its sections, breaking it down into easy-to-understand parts. It also includes links to a glossary...
Judicial Learning Center
Law and the Rule of Law
We hear a lot about the importance of the rule of law, but most people do not really know what those words mean. The lesson is a webpage that defines the rule of law, explains why it is important in a democratic society and provides...
Judicial Learning Center
The Ratification Debate
Most Americans profess their love for the US Constitution, but this was not always the case. An informative lesson overviews the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists by summarizing the main arguments of each side. It...
Judicial Learning Center
Judicial Independence: What’s Wrong with This Court?
Why is it important for judges to operate independently of politics or other branches of government? Scholars ponder the question as they examine video clips, case studies, excerpts of the US Constitution, and an interactive computer...
Judicial Learning Center
Understanding the Types of Cases
Most young scholars are aware of the criminal courts system, but the United States Constitution allows for a much broader role. What other roles do courts play in settling other questions? A case study and WebQuest-style activities...
Judicial Learning Center
Article III WebQuest
Why is Article III of the constitution so significant? Pupils discover the importance of Article III and how it relates to past as well as current events by completing Internet research using a provided handout. They learn everything...
TTAC Online
Mock Trial
It's not as easy as it seems to put together a mock trial. Make that job easier by using this comprehensive resource. Teachers choose from a list of court cases that adapt to any class setting.
iCivics
Court Quest
Introduce your learners to the federal and state court systems with a fun, interactive online video game! After reading sample cases, class members identify to which court the case should be assigned and gain a greater understanding...
Curated OER
Science in the Court Room
Share their opinions on the use of DNA databases in criminal investigations. After reading an article, they evaluate the pros and cons of the databases and work in groups to answer discussion questions. They write a letter to a state...
Center for Civic Education
Matching Game with the US Constitution
In September we celebrate Constitution Day. Begin the celebration with a grand conversation about the US Constitution. Follow up the in-depth discussion with a learning game in which scholars match terms to images such as the...
Curated OER
Mock Trial
Students rewrite a traditional fairy tale to represent the viewpoint of the villain. They participate in a mock trial of that villain in which all regular court participants (judge, jury, defendant, witnesses, plaintiff, etc) play roles.
Curated OER
Mini-Mock Trial
Students read through accounts of a teenage boy's use of a personal watercraft vehicle. They discuss the presented evidence and consider the varying details of the defendant, plaintiff and witnesses. They come to an agreement and state a...
Curated OER
Why a Mock Trial?
Students participate in a mock trial. They discover how U.S. courts resolve conflicts.
Curated OER
Law in the Future
Students develop a legal system. In this justice system lesson, students examine case law in the Untied States and draw on that experience to create a legal system for a "moon colony" which integrates the legal systems on Earth.
Curated OER
You and the Judicial System
Students explore how the structure of the state and federal judicial systems affect them. They select an appropriate media and create a presentation on the structure of the judicial system, the criminal judicial system and a guide to the...
Curated OER
Independent Courts: How Important Are They?
Students investigate the importance of judicial independence and how it is exercised while conducting research to gather information using different resources. The teacher discusses the importance of Law Day. They also read the handout...
Curated OER
Conducting Direct and Cross-Examinations
Students identify the purposes of cross and direct examinations. After writing their own examinations, they practice giving them to another student role-playing a witness. They discuss the need for lawyers to be aware of the jury...
Curated OER
Which Court Would You Use?
Students study court system and the various levels of courts in their state. In groups, they create their own brief scenario for each court they have studied. As a follow-up activity, they match given scenarios to the correct court, as...
Curated OER
Michigan Judicial System Conclusion
Young scholars identify the courts that make up Michigan's judicial system. They state the responsibilities of each court and diagram a flow chart of how a case moves to the Michigan Supreme Court. They participate in a quiz about the...
Curated OER
dsfa
Students work in groups examining the school's policy of no weapons on school property.
Curated OER
Making An Appeal
Students are introduced to factors involved in making an appeal in a court case. Students examine the appeals in two court cases and present arguments for both sides. Students discuss the class decision and compare it to the actual...
Curated OER
Judges in the Classroom
Students study the court process by participating in a mock trial. They demonstrate an understanding of the tort concept of host liability for injuries to third parties.