Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Baker v. Carr

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Can the federal government override the state government to protect the citizens of the United States? The 1962 Supreme Court case Baker v. Carr outlines the issue of equal protection under the law. Scholars investigate with a short...
Lesson Plan
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation

Those "Other Rights:" The Constitution and Slavery

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Did the United States Constitution uphold the institution of slavery, or did it help to destroy it? Young historians study Article 4, Section 2, Clause 3 of the Constitution and evaluate the rights of slaveowners as they compared to...
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Supremes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss steps cases go through to reach Supreme Court, examine Bill of Rights, and rank rights in order of importance to them. Students then research Supreme Court case dealing with one of first ten amendments, and write about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Judges in the Classroom Lesson Plan Juvenile Justice- Adjudicatory Hearing

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students conduct a mock hearing simulating the role of attorneys and witnesses familiarizing them with the juvenile court process.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Judges in the Classroom Lesson Plan Juvenile Justice- Disposition

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate what a disposition is in juvenile court in Washington state. They analyze the penalties that can be imposed on a juvenile offender.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Broadcast from the Past

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students will be responsible for presenting (either performing live or videotaping and playing) a newscast dealing with an aspect of the Civil Rights Movement that connects to the unit topic of media and social justice. During the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

he Media and Social Justice Around the World

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students will activate literacy skills in internet medium, and will use reading, critical thinking and writing skills as they work with their groups to collect and organize information. The follow up activity will allow them to augment...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ONE SURVIVOR REMEMBERS: A Call to Action

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore how to become active in their communities and develop a plan of action for a service-learning project.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Circle Sculpture

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover the Theatre of the Oppressed. In this diversity lesson plan, students practice confronting injustice as they participate in "circle sculpture" to role play performance models that deal with social justice issues....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cry, The Beloved Country: Anticipation Guide

For Teachers 10th - 12th
“Poor people are poor because they are lazy and don’t work enough.” “If you are desperate, the means justify the ends.” Prior to reading Cry, The Beloved Country, class members complete an anticipation guide that focuses on issues raised...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Compare and Contrast Night to Life is Beautiful

For Teachers 8th - 10th
After reading Elie Wiesel's Night, watching the movie Life is Beautiful, and researching World War II, class members write a comparison essay on the book and film. This includes a prior knowledge activity, discussion in whole and small...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

European Union Governance

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explore the government functions of the European Union and how legislation is passed. As a class, students define the European Union and their interests in economic, political and social issues. Using the internet, learners...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Birth Control By Law? - Legislative Hearing

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners participate in a mock legislature. In this American justice system lesson, students follow the provided steps to participate in a simulation that requires them to debate a proposal for mandatory birth control for substance abusers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil Action

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students will observe the legal procedures involved in class action lawsuits and gain knowledge of how they are sometimes used as a tool to deter polluters of the environment. Students will also read about the background the Love Canal...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Badminton

For Teachers 8th
Students evaluate their partner in playing a game of badminton. In this badminton lesson, 8th graders explain the rules of the game and participate in a warm up. Additionally, students observe their partners by completing a...
Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X: A Common Solution?

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Much has been made of the differences between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. But was there any common ground between them? Class members reconsider what they think they know about these two civil rights leaders with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Community of Christ

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover God's model for community.  For this community of Christ lesson, students read several passages from the Bible to find out God's commandments for the way people should treat others.  Students discuss the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Harassment and Restraining Orders

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss harassment and what to do if they feel they are being harassed. They examine various scenarios and discuss whether or not harassment is taking place and whether a restraining order or an order of protection is warranted.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Advice And Consent - the Senate Considers the President's Supreme Court Nominations

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Pupils study the process and questioning for selecting a Supreme Court Justice. They examine how the decisions of the Supreme Court effect the lives of citizens. They complete worksheets as they study the material.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Citizen's Role

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the role of citizens in the United States. In groups, they evaluate how the role of citizens is important when selecting Supreme Court Justices. They read articles about internest groups and complete worksheets to end...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Right of Privacy: 4th Amendment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are introduced to the 4th Amendment of the Washington state Constitution. In groups, they examine the Constitution of the state of Washington and compare it to the United States Constitution. They role play the role...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Human Rights Document

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students identify the issue of basic human rights, examine the importance of the UDHR, and compare it to United States Bill of Rights. They create a definition of human rights as a class. Students are divided into groups of four and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Act it Out

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars discuss racial stereotypes.  In this racial stereotypes instructional activity, students develop a character from information given to them on an index card.  Young scholars give their character a race different...