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Tee Time: A Lesson About Nonpoint Source Pollution

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students assume assigned roles as citizens in a town meeting where wealthy investors have persuaded the city government to clear an area of town to build a golf course. They are to investigate their roles and prepare a speech in support...
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We Accuse Colored Peoples of California V. State of California

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Pupils participate in a WebQuest to investigate discrimination of African Americans, Chinese and Californio/Latino during the Gold Rush era. They act as law clerks to write a letter to their clients about a potential trial.
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The Impact of Civil War and Conflict on Identity

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students view and discuss Powerpoint presentation on Colombian Conflict, examine how civil war impacts the common person, review vocabulary, and complete critical thinking questions with classmates.
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A Cultural Defense to Crime?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students define a "defense to a crime" and identify various defenses to crimes in Utah. They examine "cultural defense" and apply it to case studies.
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What Makes a Good Judge?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students 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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Checks and Balances in Supreme Court Nominations

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students discover the system of Checks and Balances related to recent events prompting action by one or more of the three branches of government. They study the process for selecting and confirming a Supreme Court justice. They examine...
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Westward Expansion

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the Westward Expansion Movement of U.S. history. For this Westward movement lesson, students use primary and secondary source documents research personal accounts of those who travelled west during the era....
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Religion in Social Change: What's God Got To Do With It?

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Learners determine how religion influences social change. In this religion and social change lesson, students examine how the religious beliefs of Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. were inspirational as they worked to reduce...
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Brown v. Board of Education

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine school segregation and equal protection laws. In this Supreme Court lesson plan, students examine primary documents from Brown v. Board of Education and discuss the implications of the decision.
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Criminal Activities

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Pupils investigate Justice Week in Britain. In this current events lesson, students visit selected websites related to law and order in the U.K. Pupils may create their own anti-social art as a culminating activity.
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Opening Statements (Timed Writing) Model Lesson Plan

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students review purpose and timing of opening statements in mock trials, discuss particulars of what should be included in opening statements, and write individual opening statements based on facts of their case.
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Exploring the Life of a Slave

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore importance of abolitionists who worked to advance freedoms of black Americans prior to/during Reconstruction era, read and identify key concepts in Frederick Douglass's narrative, recognize how Douglass's slave...
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Mock Trial, A Service Activity

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners present a courtroom simulation demonstrating common good, decision making model, opportunity cost, limited resources, pursuit of happiness and civic writing.
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Advanced Sentence Completion 8

For Teachers 8th - 12th
In this advanced sentence completion worksheet, students choose the best word(s) to complete each sentence. Students must complete more than one blank per sentence in some instances.
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Supreme Court: Practice with Precedents 2010

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the term precedent in the court system.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders research various court cases in history.  Students create a study chart that shows comparisons of these...
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Knife crime and sentencing

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss their feelings about kids carrying knives and whether or no people who carry knives should be punished just as much as people who carry guns. Students study what a fixed penalty is, the dangers of kids carrying knives,...
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Developing a Global Perspective for Educators

Imagine Being Me

For Teachers 9th
The design of this two-day lesson eloquently exposes learners to the topic of social justice for people with disabilities. The plan is built off the reading of Are You Alone on Purpose? by Nancy Werlin. The activity introduces...
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State Sovereignty and the Ethics of Intervention

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners study the history, ethics, politics and law of state sovereignty and its limits.  In this investigative lesson students listen to a lecture, discuss then complete a few assignments. 
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Moot Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners research and discuss court cases in preparation for Moot Court. Student attorneys research precedents involving their cases, while student justices research political ideology of Supreme Court Justices. Student attorneys then...
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Pardon Me, Please

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research capital punishment policies supported by leaders who have issued pardons, then reflect on how executive pardons might affect the balance of power between the branches of government.
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Role of Citizens in Montgomery Bus Boycott

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students consider the role of average Americans in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. In this Civil Rights lesson, students listen to a lecture that outlines the details of the boycott. Students conduct further research about the people who led...
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Search & Seizure Opinion Poll

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students examine federal and state constitutional law relating to search and seizure. They analyze various scenarios, participate in an opinion poll, and discuss difficulties in balancing individual privacy rights with the need to fight...
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Bill of Rights and Lawmaking

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders consider how the Bill of Rights impacts the lawmaking process in the United States. In this Bill of Rights lesson plan, 9th graders discuss the amendments and their limitations. Students research the role of the Legislative...
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The Driveway Case

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars discover how courts determine property possession using evidence. In this critical analysis instructional activity, students use provided case studies and evidence to determine legal possession. This instructional activity...