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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Wonder What a Pest Is...

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students observe what animals are considered to be pests and why. They conduct a mock trial of a honeybee arguing if it is a pest or not. They determine pros and cons of honeybees to prepare for the trial.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Domestic Abuse and Order For Protection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read an article about the laws pertaining to cases of domestic abuse. They take a quiz, consider how they might help a friend involved in an abusive situation and participate in a mock trial where they examine varying points of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Special Edition Newspaper on the Trial of Julius Caesar

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders research the multiple perspectives held by the participants in the trial relative to the conduct and outcome of the trial. Practice writing pertinent and penetrating interview questions for oral interviewing. Take a...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Safety or Civil Liberty? The Trial of Sacco and Vanzet

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the Sacco-Vanzetti trial and develop a basic understanding of the issues involved. Then they write an essay taking a stance on the Sacco-Vanzetti trial: was the trial fair? were the two men falsely accused? Finally,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Right to Education for California's Minorities and Immigrants

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners examine the elements of various court cases and how state and federal laws affect them. They participate in a series of mock trials to gain a better understanding of the issues involved.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Inside Dope on Video Games

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explore the claim that video games that glorify violence and illegal activities also promote such activities in the real world. They choose sides and perform a mock trial on the issue.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Burning Hatred

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the constitutionality of various forms of expression; they then take part in a mock trial on the issue of cross burning. Divide the class into three groups; Supreme Court Justices, and two groups that don't agree on this...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Guild v. Google

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share opinions about what constitutes fair use of copyright materials and participate in a mock trial arguing the case of The Authors Guild v. Google.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chicago Tribune vs. US (1942): When Does Freedom of the Press Go Too Far?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define freedom of the press in peace and war time. As a class, they identify the need for the public to be informed, but discuss where the line should be drawn to protect national security. They develop their arguments and...
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Lesson Plan
Pennsylvania Bar Association

The Pied Piper vs. The City of Hamelin

For Teachers 8th
How would the Pied Piper recover his damages from the deceptive citizens of Hamelin if the story took place today? Explore one of the Pied Piper's options with a short play that depicts a court case in which he sues the city of Hamelin...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

on Trial: Anonymous Sources, Promises of Confidentiality And Privacy

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners research the case of Matthew Cooper and Judith Miller, two reporters found in contempt of court for failing to divulge their sources. They participate in a mock trial as they consider the case from various points of view.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Was the Wolf Really Guilty?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read plays, short stories, or novels which revolve around trials, and write essays explaining or defending the assigned role in a mock fairy tale trial.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The O.J. Verdict

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the main points of the accusations against O.J. Simpson, the prosecution and defense strategies and the outcome of the infamous murder trial. They participate in a mock trial, view a film, read articles and consider how...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Torts

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students examine tort law and defenses to negligence claims. They read case studies, participate in a mock trial, answer questions about the case summaries, and present information to their group about tort law.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Whose God?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate religious freedom in the U.S. They watch and discuss a Bill Moyers NOW video, take a Freedom of Religion quiz, write an essay, and participate in a mock trial and debate.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Swiss Bank Accountability: Mock Trial

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners use a variety of sources to construct a case defending and prosecuting the Swiss government for their role in Nazi gold transactions during World War II. They practice research techniques, persuasive writing and speaking.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Right to Education for California's Minorities and Immigrants Offline Lesson Plan

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine the elements of various court cases and how state and federal laws affect them. They participate in mock trials.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Family Law - Child Abuse and Neglect

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars continue to examine child abuse and neglect laws in their state. In groups, they discuss the reasoning behind the child abuse laws and how to increase awareness. They participate in a mock trial to practice their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is a Court?

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars examine and discuss the judicial branch of the U.S. government. They define what a court is, list three characteristics of a trial court and an appellate court, and analyze various trial and appeal situations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Individual Rights - The Right To Equal Protection

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students examine the concepts of equal protection, discrimination, affirmative action, and racial profiling. They analyze the Equal Protection Clause, participate in a mock trial, and discuss the different parts of the trial.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Case Studies in Journalistic Ethics No. 2

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Learners use texts on media ethics and various Web sites  to explore real world examples of media law issues. For this media ethics lesson, students examine the Food Lion case using a transcript from the court of appeals session and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Courts in the Classroom: Ritter v Stanton

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students read the case briefs of Ritter v Stanton. They simulate the trial with classmates taking various parts such as appellant, appellee, bailiff, and justices. After conducting a mock argument, they write their own opinion for the case.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oral Arguments Online

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners conduct a mock oral argument based on the briefs provided and further research as assigned by the instructor. They write an opinion for the case outlining why one legal argument prevailed over the other based on their own...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hydraulic Mining Offline Lesson

For Teachers 4th - 8th
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.