Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Lesson 5: In the Courtroom: Understanding the Players and the Action Lesson PlanLesson 5: In the Courtroom: Understanding the Players and the Action Lesson Plan
Publisher
Curated OER
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
3rd - 6th
Subjects
Social Studies & History
2 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
2 hrs
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
4 more...
Lesson Plan

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

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Lesson 5: In the Courtroom: Understanding the Players and the Action lesson plan also includes:
  • Lesson 1: The Importance of Rules in Our Country and in Our Classroom
  • Lesson 2: The Constitution: Our Guiding Document
  • Lesson 3: Branches of Government
  • Lesson 4: The Judiciary: A Brief Introduction to the Courts System
  • Activity
  • Graphic & Image
  • Reading Passage
  • Vocabulary
  • Join to access all included materials

Young lawyers put Goldilocks on trial as they develop an understanding of the legal system in the final lesson of this five-part series. After learning about key terms relating to litigation, young scholars are assigned roles and reading through the included mock trial script as they try to determine if Goldilocks is guilty of showing bad manners.

465 Views 235 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable

Concepts

laws, the criminal justice system

Additional Tags

justice system, court system, criminal law, criminal trial, legal system, law, social studies

Instructional Ideas

  • Assign roles to students the day before holding the mock trial, allowing them time to become familiar with the script
  • Reinforce vocabulary by having students give a silent signal whenever they hear a key term used during the mock trial

Pros

  • A comprehensive list of litigation terms and definitions is included with the lesson
  • A courtroom diagram is provided as a model for rearranging the classroom during the mock trial
  • Includes a charades activity engaging students in acquiring content vocabulary
  • Mock trial activity can be adapted for classes of all sizes

Cons

  • None

Common Core

L.3.4.a L.3.5.a L.3.5.b L.3.6 L.4.4.a L.4.6 L.5.4.a L.5.6 L.6.4.a L.6.6

See similar resources:

Lesson Plan

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

Curated OER
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...
3rd - 6th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Unit Plan

Putting on Mock Trials

American Bar Association
Mock trials are a great way to teach youngsters about law and the legal system. Whether you plan to conduct mock trials in your classroom or are considering taking on the role of team coach, the information in this packet proves invaluable.
5th - 12th English Language Arts
Lesson Plan

Into Which Caste Have You Been Cast?: India's Caste System

Oklahoma Bar Association
What was it like to fit into a certain class with no choice in the matter? Learners experience the caste system in a role-play activity, work individually on handouts to enhance their learning, and participate in an evaluation activity...
6th - 8th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

The Judge and the Jury: Trial by Jury

Judicial Learning Center
Why is it so important to have a trial by jury in the American judicial system? This right is one of the hallmarks of American democracy, but it also comes with the responsibility of serving on a jury if called. Young legal scholars...
6th - 12th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

State v. Mary Witch Scripted Mock Trial

Curated OER
Kidnapper or kindly old woman? Kids stage the trial of Mary Witch and must decide if Mary kidnapped Hansel and Gretel or in fact was trying to save them. A script and complete directions are included in the 17-page packet.
K - 5th English Language Arts
Interactive

Getting Ready for Trial

Judicial Learning Center
A courtroom can be a scary place for the uninitiated. Get familiar with the process using a helpful overview of the activities that take place prior to both civil and criminal cases.  The lesson explains the differences between...
6th - 12th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Mock Election

iCivics
Here is an excellent resource in which class members host a mock election for a candidate and policy that will be implemented into your very own classroom. Progressing from primaries, through the campaign trail, and finally to the mock...
6th - 12th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Designed
Lesson Plan

Introduction to Mock Trials

Curated OER
Fifth graders participate in a mock trial and explore the vocabulary of a courtroom.
5th Social Studies & History
Lesson Plan

Judicial Branch in a Flash

iCivics
What is the difference between the federal court and state court systems? What about criminal versus civil cases? Check out this resource that will offer your class members a general and effective overview of the judicial branch in the...
6th - 12th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Designed
Interactive

The Appeal Process

Judicial Learning Center
Why doesn't the Supreme Court hear testimony from witnesses? How do they complete an entire proceeding in less than two hours? A helpful lesson guides scholars of criminology through these and other questions by explaining how appeals...
6th - 12th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use