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
Minority Teenage Fathers: Rights and Responsibilities
Students examine current laws and use problem solving activities designed to develop in students the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate situations they may/ be confronted with as potential teen-aged fathers.
Curated OER
the International Criminal Court's History And Uses
Students analyze and come to explain the history behind the formation of the International Criminal Court, along with the recent controversy facing the Court; and current crises that warrant the Court's attention.
Curated OER
Supreme Court Confirmation Process
Students examine the Supreme Court and the confirmation process. They simulate a confirmation hearing with students role-playing as nominees and others as members of the Judiciary Committee. Students compose short essays outlining the...
Teaching Tolerance
Jim Crow as a Form of Racialized Social Control
Just because slavery was illegal doesn't mean it went away ... Jim Crow Laws took its place. An eye-opening lesson focuses on how Jim Crow Laws were used as a form of racial social control against African Americans in the United States....
Curated OER
Teens on Trial
Students read about the public reaction to the conviction of Alex and Derek King, and explore the issue of child offenders being tried and sentenced as adults. They compose letters to Florida Governor Jeb Bush, outlining their opinion on...
Curated OER
Children's Accountability for Their Crimes
Students participate in a round-table discussion about the juvenile justice system and investigate the 'age of accountability' debate. They write a persuasive essay supporting or refuting the punishment received by the children discussed...
Curated OER
Symbolic Speech
Ninth graders consider the right of freedom of speech as it is outlined in the U.S. Constitution. They receive background information for the US Supreme Court, the Bill of Rights, and free speech. They discuss a series of actual cases...
Curated OER
Role Playing Free Speech
Pupils conduct research into looking at a free-speech issue. They role play the events surrounding a court case. The lesson includes guiding questions to help create context and determine areas of further study. The presentation includes...
Curated OER
Teachers: Citizenship: Criminal Justice System
Students, in groups, study Asbos and their conditions. After watching a 10-minute video, they answer questions in the Asbo hotseat. Also, they develop arguments that are not necessarily their own.
Curated OER
Executing Justice
Young scholars explore the reasons for postponing the execution of Timothy McVeigh, assess key legal definitions in relation to the case, and formulate personal responses.
Deliberating in a Democracy
Crime and Punishment
Should the United States ban the death penalty? Scholars use real-life examples of criminal activity to come to their own conclusions on the death penalty. Primary source documents, as well as video clips, open the issue of capital...
Utah State Courts
Judges in the Classroom
Class members explore the process of a disposition hearing for juveniles, particularly looking at how the judge decides what sentence the juvenile offender should receive. Task your pupils with evaluating different sample cases provided...
Curated OER
Criminal Law -- Miranda
Students examine the law and the Miranda rights. They role play members of law enforcement and ones being arrested.
Curated OER
Who Serves Time? Breaking Down Stereotypes About Juvenile Offenders
Learners read and discuss article "Doing Time," explore juvenile justice system and juvenile hall, and discuss stereotypes of young offenders.
Curated OER
The Jury's Still Out
Students examine the trials and executions of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. In groups, they use the internet to research the impact of the executions in the shape of political cartoons and writings. They discuss an article to...
Curated OER
Why a Mock Trial?
Students participate in a mock trial. They discover how U.S. courts resolve conflicts.
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
Plea Bargaining
Learners explore plea bargaining and list the advantages and disadvantages of it.
Carolina K-12
Are You a Democrat or a Republican? Are You Really?
Have new or soon-to-be voters examine different political parties and their platforms as they figure out which one aligns most with their beliefs. After taking a few online quizzes, students split into pairs to discuss and then in larger...
Curated OER
The Sentencing Activity
Students simulate a trial where a crime has been committed and a judge decides on the sentencing. In this trial lesson plan, students discuss why boys and girls may view crimes differently.
Curated OER
Words Can Hurt: King Day
Learners explore stereotyping. For this moral and character development lesson, students share reactions to a T-chart displaying what boys can do and girls can not do. Martin Luther King's accomplishments are discussed, and learners...
Curated OER
Guilty to a Fault
Learners consider the moral and legal issues involved in distinguishing a verdict of murder from one of manslaughter (criminally negligent homicide) and write an essay describing the issues involved in the case that was researched.
Curated OER
Dude, Where's My Karma?
Learners research various aspects of Indian culture. They create a Book of Knowledge about India. In a second activity they research the history behind any game. They make presentations and play the different games during Game Day.