Constitutional Rights Foundation
The Role of the Judiciary
The role of the judicial branch has far reaches into American life. Learners consider its uses with a reading on the branch and a structured conversation on the topic. Together, they work to root their contributions to the discussion in...
Annenberg Foundation
Actions that Changed the Law
The Fair Play Act of 2009 came about due to the actions of one woman. Young historians research Lilly Ledbetter and what she went through to get pay equal to that paid to men for the same work at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. The...
Judicial Learning Center
The Players in the Courtroom
Courtrooms are complicated. In addition to the many rules, there are a number of people whose jobs are not very clear to the casual courtroom observer. With the resource, individuals identify some of these roles and review more...
Curated OER
Mock Trial
Students rewrite a traditional fairy tale to represent the viewpoint of the villain. They participate in a mock trial of that villain in which all regular court participants (judge, jury, defendant, witnesses, plaintiff, etc) play roles.
Curated OER
Supreme Court June 2010 Decisions Wrap-Up
Students consider constitutional rights. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students complete an activity guide that requires students to examine Bill of Rights-related cases of 2010. Students respond to discussion questions pertaining to...
Curated OER
Defining moments from the past with lessons for a post-9/11 world...
Students examine extension ideas concerning 9/11, Defining Moments. They analyze a variety of Supreme Court cases, the U.S. Constitution, Mass Media Interpretations, Racism, Immigrant groups and U.S. geography. Many questions are asked...
Curated OER
The Bill of Rights
Students examine the intent Bill of Rights. In this American government lesson, students watch segments of the Discovery video "The Bill of Rights." Students discuss and debate the 4 Supreme Court cases featured in the video.
Curated OER
Private Property Vs. the Public Good: the Problem of Eminent Domain
Young scholars view video The Electric Valley, discuss film clips and review news articles and other documents pertaining to eminent domain, prepare declarative statement on issue that has pro or con side, and present case to opposing...
Curated OER
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
Students create a series of drawings to show the process of how the Supreme Court does its work. The drawings may be in strip cartoon form or a series of separate illustrations.
Curated OER
Racial Profiling
Young scholars debate both positions on the controversial topic of racial profiling with support for each and then develop a consensus position on how racial profiling as a law enforcement tool should be used.
Curated OER
Water Cycle
Third graders explore the water cycle and place pictures of the water cycle in sequential order. They investigate a problem and determine if it is reasonable or not to believe that there is water in air to cause a puddle. ...
Curated OER
A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: A SIMULATION
Students discuss two computerized options to change the current U.S. government. In this Constitutional Convention lesson, students write a statement advocating for one of the choices and participate in a mock modern Constitutional...
Lectric Law Library
Lectric Law: Due Process
This resource presents a detailed description of the legal term "due process" with court cases cited.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Property Rights and the Supreme Court
A question over a piece of property owned by one, yet deemed protected by the EPA prompted a court case in search of due process and protection of property rights. Find out more about the case and the process through this lesson plan.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: In Re Gault (1967)
Full court transcript of 1967 U.S. Supreme Court case involving a juvenile, Gerald Gault.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
PBS presents a summary of the landmark Supreme Court case of Miranda v. Arizona which ruled that a person suspected of a crime must be informed of their constitutional rights before police questioning, becoming known as the "Miranda...
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez.org: Oyez Directory
The OYEZ Directory offers hyperlinks to Supreme Court cases. Choose the topic you'd like to search under, like "Attorneys," or "Civil rights," for example.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Powell v. Alabama (1932)
Features the full text of the opinion delivered by Justice Sutherland of the Supreme Court. This case involved the issue of due process of law.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Gitlow v. New York (1925)
This Supreme Court case involved the subject of criminal anarchy. Read the complete text of the opinion delivered by Justice Sanford of the Supreme Court.
Cornell University
Cornell University: Law School: Powell v. Alabama
Provides the full text of the opinion of Justice Sutherland in the landmark Supreme Court case of Powell v. Alabama, which deals with the Fourteenth Amendment and due process of law, and which were found to be denied to the defendants in...
Syracuse University
Syracuse University: Youth Due Process Gerald Gault
This site contains a description of the juvenile justice system, background on the case involving Gerald Gault, and learning exercises for teachers to use in class.
Other
Us Courts: Fifth Amendment Activities
Two activities and lesson plan apply landmark Supreme Court cases on the Fifth Amendment and the right to due process or fair trial for adults and juveniles accused of a crime.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Escobedo v. Illinois (1964)
A detailed description of the United States Supreme Court decision on the appeal of the case Escobedo v. Illinois, which ruled on the right to have counsel under the 6th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.
iCivics
I Civics: In Re Gault (1967)
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that said juvenile offenders have a right to due process. Students learn about 14th Amendment due process, fairness, and the specific rights afforded juveniles in the...