Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 4: The Judiciary: A Brief Introduction to the Courts System

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Focusing on the judicial branch of government, the fourth lesson in this series explores the structure of the US courts system. Beginning with an engaging activity based on the short story The Lady or the Tiger, students go on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 5: In the Courtroom: Understanding the Players and the Action

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Young lawyers put Goldilocks on trial as they develop an understanding of the legal system in the final lesson plan of this five-part series. After learning about key terms relating to litigation, students are assigned roles...
Lesson Plan
Teaching Civics

Legal Ways: Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile

For Teachers 9th - 12th
An amazing set of resources! Found here are several lessons that work in conjunction to help learners better understand the juvenile court system. Learners review the judicial process, discuss how juveniles are tried, and hold a class...
Worksheet
Minnesota Courts

Inside Straight: the Third Branch

For Students 10th - 12th
Learners use the worksheet as they view the film Inside Straight: the Third Branch. Multiple case studies and the history of the judicial branch of the US government are included via hyperlink and act as the topics of discussion...
Lesson Plan
BBC

Crime

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Crime and punishment! Learners discuss the law, civics, and crime in the UK. They brainstorm lists of crimes and possible punishments, complete activities on a website, role-play a Juvenile Court scenario, and try to think of ways they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arrest

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars become active participants in the legal process as they take on the roles of witnesses, jurors, and defendants in a trial simulation. An understanding and appreciation of the legal system is fostered through the experience.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arrest- A Legal System Simulation

For Teachers 11th - 12th
What would your class do if a police officer arrested a student in class? This is exactly the anticipatory set that gets learners engaged in a unit on the legal system. The plan is to get the officer to simulate an arrest, and then guest...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ideal Judge

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders compare and contrast judges in Japan and United States, read cases from "The Judge Ooka Tales," apply principles of Confucian ethics to dispute resolution, and predict how Japanese judge would rule in contemporary case.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seeing the Courtroom and Legal System Through the Eyes of a Child

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students understand that law is a tool that provides for the protection of our individual rights and at the same time makes it possible for groups to live together.
Activity
Other

German Law in English: A Select Bibliography

For Students 9th - 10th
Excellent reference source on all issues concerning German law.
Primary
Other

Janet Reno vs. American Civil Liberties Union

For Students 9th - 10th
A complete transcript outlining the court case between Janet Reno, U.S. Attorney General, and the American Civil Liberties Union, in which the Communications Decency Act was declared unconstitutional.
Website
Other

El Defensor Del Pueblo

For Students 9th - 10th
Official home of the "Defensor del Pueblo." The Defender of the People is the high commissioner of the Cortes Generales, appointed by the latter to defend the rights included in Part 1 of the Constitution, for which purpose he may...
Activity
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Article Iii: Judicial Power

For Students 9th - 10th
Annotations to Article III on the characteristics and attributes of judicial power as related to specific Supreme Court decisions. The author distinguishes between judicial power and jurisdiction.
Handout
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Article Iii: Organizations of Court, Tenure, & Compensation

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource covers Article III, Section 1, which focuses on the judicial branch of the United States government.
Activity
Other

Tribunal Supremo De Elecciones

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the official site of the Supreme Court of Elections. "El Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones es el Organo Constitucional". Here you can read about how the courts function, their responsibilities, etc.
Handout
University of Missouri

Famous Trials

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site looks at famous trials in American history. Trials that shaped American society and changed America's laws.
Activity
Other

Iac on Human Rights: Bolivia's Legal System

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains an outline (that is all links) to a report on the situation of human rights in the Republic of Bolivia.
Website
Other

Iusco: Intro to the German Federal Election System

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview article on the German electoral system. This article provides a great deal of information about the subject. Check it out!
Activity
Other

Iuscomp: Environmental Laws: Introduction

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a detailed article on environmental law in Germany.
Activity
Other

Universitat Karlsruhe: Law

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive linklist for German law. Most links are to law schools in Germany. Most of the information is in German.
Handout
Travel Document Systems

Tds: Thailand: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy , but the king has little power. Find out how the government works in this current article based on information from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Article
NPR: National Public Radio

Npr: How Federal Grand Juries Work

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of the procedures of Grand juries and the history behind them is given in this article on NPR. A great glossary of Grand jury terms is provided along with a link to download the Federal Grand Jury handbook.
Website
Other

Streetlaw: Introduction to Law and the Legal System

For Students 9th - 10th
This website, a unit introducing the law and legal system, is organized into six chapters where you can learn about laws, lawmaking, citizen advocacy, dispute settlements, the court system, and lawyers.
Website
Other

Laws.com

For Students 9th - 10th
This page will provide access to laws of the United States, Canada and selected international areas.