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Testing DNA and the Death Penalty
High schoolers explore issues surrounding death penalty debate and participate in a values-clarification activity to help them form their opinions on this topic. They create a talk show to discuss issues involved with DNA testing and the...
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Parental Accountability and Public Policy
Students examine laws that relate to parental accountability for minors. Students debate these laws and identify their own personal opinions regarding parental civil and criminal liability. Students draft legislation that reflects their...
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Civics: Missouri's Non-Partisan Court Plan
Learners examine the ways that the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan helps the court maintain a system of separation of powers and checks and balances. After discussing the principle of judicial impartiality, they complete a chart...
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Right to Privacy?
Students listen to a teacher reading of the freedoms included in the First Amendment. They, in small groups, read two editorials about privacy, and compare and contrast the two.
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Children and the Death Penalty
Students examine how different countries deal with juvenile offenders. Using the internet, they research what offenses are punishable by death and how the laws protect students. They interview local authorities and discuss possible...
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The Sentencing Activity
Learners 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.
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Plea Bargaining
Students explore plea bargaining and list the advantages and disadvantages of it.
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dsfa
Students work in groups examining the school's policy of no weapons on school property.
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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...
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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...
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Making An Appeal
Learners 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. Learners discuss the class decision and compare it to the actual...
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Hydraulic Mining Offline Lesson
Students utilize a variety of source materials to explore reasons for supporting or opposing hydraulic mining. A mock court hearing is held where a decision to allow the continued use of hydraulic mining is made.
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Independent Courts: How Important Are They?
Pupils 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 for...
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Benchball
Students are taught ball skills and spatial awareness. They are divided into two teams. Students nominate one player to stand on the bench in their half of the court. They then arrange themselves anywhere in thier half of the court. ...
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Supreme Court
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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Stolen Car Mini-Trial
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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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...
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Search & Seizure Opinion Poll
Students examine federal and state constitutional law relating to search and seizure. They analyze various scenarios, participate in an opinion poll, and discuss difficulties in balancing individual privacy rights with the need to fight...
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Bill of Rights and Lawmaking
Ninth graders consider how the Bill of Rights impacts the lawmaking process in the United States. In this Bill of Rights lesson plan, 9th graders discuss the amendments and their limitations. Students research the role of the Legislative...
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Knife crime and sentencing
Students discuss their feelings about kids carrying knives and whether or no people who carry knives should be punished just as much as people who carry guns. Students study what a fixed penalty is, the dangers of kids carrying knives,...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Read All About It! Supreme Court Case Makes Headlines!
Students are assigned a landmark Supreme Court case to research. They construct a one-page newsletter on the case which include a summary of the case, two pictures and a short biography on one of the justices on the Court at that time.
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Prisons and Their Functions
Young scholars explore the history of prisons. They examine how Reformers and Progressives influenced the functions of today's prisons. Students analyze whether or not the function of prisons has changed over time.
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Dude, Where's My Karma?
Students 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.
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Racial Profiling
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.