Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forming A Government

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students simulate being on an island after their ship has wrecked, or their plane has crashed. Food, fresh water, and shelter are in short supply. They must form a government, develop laws and penalties.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Due Process

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students understand the legal term "due process of law" and its historical origins. They discuss the requirements for "due process of law" in both the U. S. Constitution and the Indiana Constitution and how those rights are similar or...
Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

Scottsboro Boys and "To Kill a Mockingbird": Two Trials for the Common Core

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Here's a must-have resource for anyone reading To Kill A Mockingbird or using Harper Lee's award-winning novel in a classroom. The packet contains Miss Hollace Ransdall's first-hand, factual account of the trials of the Scottsboro Boys,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Search And Seizure In Washington

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils identify legal requirements of searches conducted with and without a warrant, and identify the legal standard for conducting searches in public schools.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Separate But Equal Video

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders watch the video "Separate But Equal." They choose an incident or event from the video that is interesting or meaningful to them and write an objective news article and an editorial.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Formation and Function of the Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze the role of the U.S. Supreme Court. They read a handout and Article III, section 1 of the Constitution, analyze and rate by relevance noteworthy Supreme Court cases, and write how they decided each rating.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Utah's Judicial Branch

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explain that the judicial branch of Utah's government interprets laws and reviews the consitutionality of laws.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

State of Oregon v. Dominguez-Martinez

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the concept of racial profiling. In groups, they analzye the case between Oregon and Dominguez-Martinez and evaluate the use of racial profiling as a tool of policemen. They also discuss the laws in place to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tribal Sovereignty Mock Trial

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the issue of tribal/native nation sovereignty. They review the Constitution of the U.S. and discuss how it legally provides for sovereign nations. Then they participate in a mock trial of the 1823 Supreme Court Case...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History of Supreme Court

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students study the role of the U.S. Supreme Court in U.S. history. They explore current events about the U.S. Constitution and discuss the Marbury v. Madison case from 1803. They identify the term "judicial review" and judicial...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Patriot Act: Security vs. Privacy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use readings, worksheets and discussion to explore the ramifications of the US Patriot Act which was passed by Congress shortly after September 11th. They review Constitutional Amendments and consider how they relate to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Judges In The Classroom

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore legal requirements of searches conducted with and without a warrant and explore legal standard for conducting random searches of passenger vehicles preparing to board state ferries from a Judge who visits the classroom.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Judiciary in American History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the influence of political and societal forces on judicial decisions. Among the topics they examine are the selection of judges and the cause and effect relationship between politics, society, and the law. to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Dynamic Duo

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers engage in the research of history that surrounded the actions of the federal government during the years from 1907-1937. The focus of the lesson is upon the regulations imposed on business during the time and how it...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ZIP: A One-Act Play

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students review amendments of the Constitution relating to due process. They discuss the Constitution in the case of Eberhard "Zip" Fuhr. They research the provisions of the WWII Alien Enemy Control Program. They determine how national...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VS.6a

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore, discuss and explain why George Washington is called the "Father of our Country" and James Madison is called the "Father of the Constitution." They view and create a graphic organizer after discussing a variety of...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

The Flying Inauguration of the "Sudden President

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners study the inauguration process as well as what the constitution states about who succeeds the President of the US when the office is emergently vacant. They discuss the role of government and the events leading to Lyndon...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Navigating The Legal System

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners identify personal rights allowed under the law in the United States. An exploration of the legal process leads students to describe how the American legal system works. This lesson is intended for learners acquiring English.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Raids and Arrests of Enemy Aliens

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Student read background summary information and debate how much control did the government require to keep the nation safe. They research how World War II restrictions on enemy lines were enforced and how it related to the U.S....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Rights Issues Around the World

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders begin the lesson plan by comparing and contrasting the Bill of Rights with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For each document, they highlight the material that is the same for both and discuss the items that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's in the Water?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts. Using the text, they identify examples of how the federal and state governments implement public policy. They discuss how citizens can make sure that all levels of government...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hidden Messages

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the concept of censorship in authoritarian government and how Japanese and Chinese artists used their work as political commentary. This lesson includes possible lesson enrichments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World War II Alien Enemy Control Program

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students review the history and language of the Alien Enemies Act and related laws as well as the Constitutional challenges it presents. They also review the World War II Alien Enemy Control Program and the Alien Enemy Hearing Board...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planetary Landers

For Teachers K - 8th
Students watch programs from a series titled "Planetary Landers". As a class, they view a poster of various vehicles that have made their way into space. In groups, they brainstorm the characteristics that should be included when...