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Interactive
2
2
Judicial Learning Center

Law and the Rule of Law

For Students 6th - 12th
We hear a lot about the importance of the rule of law, but most people do not really know what those words mean. The lesson is a webpage that defines the rule of law, explains why it is important in a democratic society and provides...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Running for Freedom: The FUgitive Slave law and the Coming of the Civil War

For Teachers 8th - 10th
In order to understand the complicated nature of slave laws during the Civil War, learners compare and contrast an abolitionist poster and a runaway slave ad. They use an attached worksheet to consider each primary source document, then...
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Interactive
2
2
Judicial Learning Center

The Constitution

For Students 6th - 12th
Supreme Court justices debate the meaning of the US Constitution, but we expect teachers to explain it to scholars with far less training and experience. A daunting task for sure, but it's not insurmountable with resources that simplify...
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Interactive
National Constitution Center

Interactive Constitution

For Students 5th - 12th
Did you know there are seven Articles and 27 Amendments to the US Constitution? Explore each and every one of them, including the Bill of Rights and other rights around the world, in a super neat US Constitution interactive. 
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Lesson Plan
Oakwood Publishing

Workshop 4: Constitutional Convention

For Teachers 12th
How do new amendments become part of the US Constitution? AP government students explore, analyze, and use the US Constitution to develop a deep understanding of the interworkings of law and government while practicing synthesis and...
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Unit Plan
1
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Curated OER

Constitutional Convention Simulation

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Why did the Founders make it so challenging to amend the US Constitution? To gain an understanding of why the process is so difficult, class members engage in a Constitutional Convention simulation. Groups draft, propose, and debate...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lincoln, Emancipation, and the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine how President Lincoln promoted emancipation. In this slavery lesson, students examine primary documents, including the U.S. Constitution, to reconstruct Lincoln's attempts to end slavery and deliver the Emancipation...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Introduction To Law

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify 4 branches of law-criminal, civil, consumer, and family. using a newspaper, they locate examples of how laws affect citizens on a daily basis.
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Lesson Plan
Judicial Learning Center

Rule of Law WebQuest

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Go on a WebQuest to find the Rule of Law! Scholars use the Internet to learn all about how law works in a democracy and how the Rule of Law relates to both American government and governments around the world. Researchers then engage in...
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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 or...
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Lesson Plan
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1
National Endowment for the Humanities

Lesson 4 James Madison: Internal Improvements Balancing Act—Federal/State and Executive/Legislative

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Who has the power? The founding fathers asked the same question when the United States was formed. Learners explore issues that arose during Madison’s presidency that raised constitutional questions. Through discovery, discussion, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of State Government and the State Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the relationship between state and national governments. They define the principles of American federalism how the constitution outlines the powers of state and federal government. Lesson focuses on Nebraska...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Whispering Wires": Public Law vs. Individual Civil Liberties

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High school student love discussing controversial issues like those brought up in this fourth amendment case study. They examine the 1928 Olmstead vs. U.S. prohibition court case, applying the fourth amendment to determine whether or not...
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Interactive
2
2
Judicial Learning Center

Judicial Independence

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Most people support the idea of an independent judiciary in theory until they hear about a court case that violates their principles. An informative resource explains why the concept is important. It also provides scholars of criminology...
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Lesson Plan
Administrative Office of the US Courts

Nomination Process

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States..." Scholars investigate the nomination process of Supreme Court justices when assuming office. Through examination of primary and secondary...
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Lesson Plan
Media Smarts

Cyberbullying and the Law

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Research, role-playing, and reflection are the three “R’s” that form the basis of an examination of Cyberbullying. Although based on the Criminal Code of Canada, the included scenarios and case studies provide valuable resources for a...
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Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Procedural Amendments: Amendments III, IV, and V

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
So many US Constitution clauses, so little time. The 17th installment in a 20-part series teaches pupils about the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments. Learning through activities such as group work, connecting to current events, and...
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Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Procedural Rights: Amendments VI, VII, and VIII

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Even in court, your class members have procedural rights provided by the amendments. Teach high schoolers this important lesson by using the 18th installment of a 20-part unit exploring the US Constitution. The resource provides several...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How a Bill Becomes a Law

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine Article I, Sections 1, 7, and 8, of the U.S. Constitution and discuss the authority and restrictions placed on the Congress in making laws.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We the People: Promise and Practice in our Constitution

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students examine the concept that the constitutional government guarantees that our government is not all-powerful and analyze the purposes of our government that are listed in the Preamble. They assess that equality under the law and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Connection Between Medicine, Ethics, and Law: The Right to Die

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students in a special education class examine the United States Constitution. Using the text, they answer five research questions and discuss the amendments that concern medicine, ethics and law of the right to die issue. They develop...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

European Union Constitution

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the European Union Constitution and the impact on the various countries involved. They discuss the countries that have rejected the rules and the countries that have accepted them. They imagine they are the head of a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paving the Road to the Constitution

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders argue for or against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. In this U.S. government lesson, 8th graders complete four activities that encourage them to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of...
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Lesson Plan
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Classroom Constitutional Convention

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the eight phrases that comprise the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution to determine its principles and purpose. Their own Constitutional Convention is convened to craft a preamble for their school's governance.