Teaching Tolerance
Jim Crow as a Form of Racialized Social Control
Just because slavery was illegal doesn't mean it went away ... Jim Crow Laws took its place. An eye-opening lesson focuses on how Jim Crow Laws were used as a form of racial social control against African Americans in the United States....
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For The Sake Of Security: U.S.A. Patriot Act & Bill of Rights
A substantive New York Times article about the U.S.A. Patriot Act, military tribunals, racial profiling, and the Bill of Rights forms the basis for a discussion of the complex interplay of fundamental American rights and the aftermath of...
PBS
Analyzing Stop and Frisk Through Personal Stories and Infographics
How much can you learn about an important topic from a single image? High schoolers analyze an infographic that represents the number of stops performed during the Stop and Frisk police procedure. After building background information...
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Due Process Freedoms
Students participate in a simulation of the voir dire portion of a trial. There are student lawyers assigned for the prosecution and the defense. They must review and question all prospective jurors to obtain a fair and impartial jury.
Carolina K-12
Are You a Democrat or a Republican? Are You Really?
Have new or soon-to-be voters examine different political parties and their platforms as they figure out which one aligns most with their beliefs. After taking a few online quizzes, students split into pairs to discuss and then in larger...
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Criminal Activities
Students investigate Justice Week in Britain. In this current events lesson, students visit selected websites related to law and order in the U.K. Students may create their own anti-social art as a culminating activity.
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Children's Accountability for Their Crimes
Students participate in a round-table discussion about the juvenile justice system and investigate the 'age of accountability' debate. They write a persuasive essay supporting or refuting the punishment received by the children discussed...
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Court System Scavenger Hunt
Students are assign a particular Federal or State Court. They are asked to make a poster of the court they have been assigned. Students are told that the poster should include a list of the types of cases that particular court hears. ...
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Teachers: Citizenship: Criminal Justice System
Students, in groups, study Asbos and their conditions. After watching a 10-minute video, they answer questions in the Asbo hotseat. Also, they develop arguments that are not necessarily their own.
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Michigan Judicial System Conclusion
Young scholars identify the courts that make up Michigan's judicial system. They state the responsibilities of each court and diagram a flow chart of how a case moves to the Michigan Supreme Court. They participate in a quiz about the...
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Judges in the Classroom Lesson Plan Juvenile Justice - Introduction
Students study the meaning of juvenile and various ways that young offenders are treated.
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Seeing the Courtroom and Legal System Through the Eyes of a Child
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.
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The Legacy of the Warren Court
Students examine the major decisions by the Supreme Court when Warren was the Chief Justice. In groups, they research the life and other works of Earl Warren and discuss how ones background can influence decisions. They also examine...
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Hodgson v. Minnesota
Students investigate the role of and develop opinions of the court in weighing competing interests in making decisions. They examine the power of the courts and legislature to regulate constitutional rights.
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Role Playing Free Speech
Pupils conduct research into looking at a free-speech issue. They role play the events surrounding a court case. The lesson includes guiding questions to help create context and determine areas of further study. The presentation includes...
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Consequences
Students identify and describe what consequences are and how they affect others. Then they play the "Kids' Court" game as a class as outlined in the lesson. Students also identify how consequences and their actions are linked using their...
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The "Big Four"
Pupils identify the four individuals who are identified as the "Big Four", examine the years they were on the bench together, and look and the impact they made in key cases.
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Supreme Court Confirmation Process
Students examine the Supreme Court and the confirmation process. They simulate a confirmation hearing with students role-playing as nominees and others as members of the Judiciary Committee. Students compose short essays outlining the...
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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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Why a Mock Trial?
Students participate in a mock trial. They discover how U.S. courts resolve conflicts.
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What Makes a Good Judge?
Learners define qualities that should be considered when selecting judge, evaluate costs and benefits of two methods of selecting and retaining judges, decide whether methods provide for judicial independence
and judicial accountability,...
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Civil Rights and the Michigan Supreme Court II
Students view a PowerPoint presentation on the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society's Civil Rights and/or the Native American Rights. They write a reaction paper and prepare for a class discussion. They work in groups and discuss...
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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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Claim Your Jurisdiction Game: Getting Ready For Moot Court
Students explore the jurisdictions of the courts in the federal and state systems. Students identify the differences in the two systems.