There Ought To Be a Law!

Focusing on the judicial branch of government, the fourth lesson plan 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 to...

Teach young historians about the historical legacy of Rosa Parks with a multi-faceted lesson plan. Pupils follow stations and use journals to explore prominent events, analyze primary resource documents, and engage in interesting...

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, students are assigned roles and reading...

Don't just talk about the rule of law and the importance of protecting individual rights and preserving the common good, have your class members experience it by acting in skits! Then follow the activity with several corresponding...

Introduce young historians to the US Constitution with this upper-elementary social studies lesson. Beginning with a general discussion about the role of government in society, students go on to work in small groups identifying and...

Young historians explore the meaning of the Preamble to the US Constitution in this upper-elementary social studies lesson plan. Working with partners or in small groups, children discuss the purpose of government before reading and...

Who decides what pupils learn in schools? Young scholars may be surprised to hear that there is no national standard for what is taught. A resource investigates this question using case studies, debate, discussion questions, and writing...

Discuss the differences in dialogue and debate when considering a controversial topic. Your class can work in small groups to complete a guided discussion of this controversial topic and then participate in a simulation of the Scopes...

Scholars read and become familiar with peaceful protests detailed in the story, Delivering Justice: W.W. Law and the Fight for Civil Rights by Jim Haskins. Pupils reexamine the tale and use the Six Steps to Nonviolent Direct Action in...

What's it like to be a senator or member of the House of Representatives? Using a video game simulation, learners discover what it is like to craft and pass legislation from its idea through conference committee. Pop ups and annotation...