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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Miranda v. Arizona

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
You have the right to remain silent—but why? Scholars analyze the nature of what has become known as the Miranda Rights. A short video along with paired group work and discussion opens the issue of the rights of the accused upon arrest....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Model Courtroom

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students construct a model of the Supreme Court's courtroom. They design the courtroom in such a way so that the architecture and furnishings in the courtroom represent the neutrality and power of the court.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mock Trial

For Teachers 5th - 12th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why a Mock Trial?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students participate in a mock trial. They discover how U.S. courts resolve conflicts.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Supreme Court

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the redistricting process.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders examine the electoral map.  Students write an essay posing an argument for the redistricting process. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plea Bargaining

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore plea bargaining and list the advantages and disadvantages of it.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Judges in the Classroom

For Teachers 10th - 12th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a series of drawings to show the process of how the Supreme Court does its work. The drawings may be in strip cartoon form or a series of separate illustrations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moot Court Preparation

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders prepare themselves for a mock moot court. In groups, they are presented with an overview of each activity and research appellate cases related to the topic given to them. They identify regions of the country that have...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Affirmative Action

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore policies concerning affirmative action. After reading affirmative action handouts, students use the internet and other resources to research information about affirmative action laws, court cases, and arguments. They...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding the Significance of the Nationalization of the Bill of Rights

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders study the impact of the Nationalization of the Bill of Rights upon criminal law. They analyze opposition to expansionist viewpoints that could possibly create more checks and balances on the state courts and analyze...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill of Rights and Lawmaking

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders consider how the Bill of Rights impacts the lawmaking process in the United States. In this Bill of Rights lesson, 9th graders discuss the amendments and their limitations. Students research the role of the Legislative...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Independent Courts: How Important Are They?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Jury System

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Learners analyze Article III and the Seventh Amendment. In this US Justice lesson, students research the US jury system and complete a Student Jury questionnaire. Learners will discuss the impact the implementation of the Jury System had...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Legal Challenge of Human Rights Protection

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students identify the types and extent of human rights violations that occurred in El Salvador . They will also analyze the various laws and statutes that dictate the processes to protect and punish war crimes and human rights...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil liberties: Other freedoms

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students expore civil liberties. They identify and define legal rights. Students consider the impact of applying rights in criminal matters. They identify Canadians' political rights and suggest why they are essential to a democracy....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Juveniles Commit Crimes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the reasons why juveniles commit crimes. As a class, they watch movies showing juveniles committing crims and discuss the impact on societies. They take a field trip to adult and juvenile courts and compare their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Juveniles How to Plan for The Future

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students in a special education class discover ways to effectively plan for the future. In groups, they research the programs and services available to them to discover the opportunities that await them. They read different sections of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stolen Car Mini-Trial

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in a mock trial about stolen cars. In groups, they take turns representing their clients and examining how a court operates. Other students act as the jury and share their reasons for the verdict they deliver.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Racial Profiling

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students debate both positions on the controversial topic of racial profiling with support for each and then develop a consensus position on how racial profiling as a law enforcement tool should be used.