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Content
  • Civic Participation  (39)
  • Foundational Document  (13)
  • Bill of Rights  (37)
  • Famous Speeches and Documents  (0)
  • Amending the Constitution  (0)
  • Fourteenth Amendment  (26)
  • Civic Skills  (31)
  • Politics  (2)
  • Holidays, Symbols, Practices  (2)
  • Government Leaders  (3)
  • Principles of Constitutional Democracy  (72)
  • Landmark Supreme Court Cases  (14)
  • Role of the Media  (4)
  • Civil Law / Criminal Law  (42)
  • Branches of Government  (14)
  • Conflict Resolution  (26)
  • Types of Governments  (1)
  • National Security  (0)
  • Public Policy and Policy Making  (0)
  • Foreign Policy  (1)


  • Explore and Know - Bill of Rights
    An exploration of the Bill of Rights by students participating in analyzing Supreme Court cases in cooperative learning groups.

    Punishment
    One of the functions of the court system is to determine the appropriate punishment when an individual has violated the law.

    Voir Dire - Jury Selection
    Voir Dire is the term for Jury Selection.  Students will learn about the process and impact of Jury Selection.

    People in the Court
    Overview of people in a courtroom and why they are there.

    Solving Conflicts Today
    This lesson will provide students with the opportunity to explore conflicts that exist today and identify ways in which to resolve the conflicts.

    Conflict - Yesterday's Ways
    The purpose of this introductory lesson is for students to understand conflicts in society, both the causes of conflicts and historical methods of resolving conflicts.

    Everyone Has Rules
    This lesson is designed to help students understand why people who work, play, and live together need to follow rules.

    Deborah Sampson: Revolutionary War Heroine
    This lesson celebrates the heroism of a young woman who lived during the time of the revolutionary war.

    Being Responsible for Myself
    Through discussion, brainstorming and charting students will learn about the rights and responsibilities of people as they conduct their daily lives in interaction with others.

    Qualifications for a President
    An activity that allows students to brainstorm, analyze and rank qualifications voters might consider in electing a President.

    A Fifth Amendment Trivia Game
    This lesson is intended to introduce students to the Fifth Amendment of the Bill of Rights and to interpret what certain constitutional rights mean in specific cases pertaining to the law.

    Strega Nona and the Bill of Rights
    Strega Nona by  Tomie de Paola is used to introduce concepts of following rules, privacy and punishment.  The lesson ties in the 4th, 5th, 8th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.

    Peter Rabbit and the Bill of Rights
    The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter is used as an introduction to concepts of following rules, privacy, punishment and authority.  The lesson ties the story to the 4th, 5th and 8th Amendment to the Constitution.

    The Judge and the Bill of Rights
    The Judge, by Harve Zemach with pictures by Margot Zemach, is used to introduce concepts of justice, freedom and punishment.  The lesson ties the book to the 1st, 6th and 8th Amendments to the Constitution.

    Evan's Corner and the Bill of Rights
    Evan's Corner by Elizabeth Starr Hill is used to introduce concepts of privacy and property.  The lesson ties the story to the 4th, 5th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.

    The Big Orange Splot and the Bill of Rights
    The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater is used to introduce concepts of Freedom of Expression and Property.  The lesson ties the story to the 1st and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.

    The Three Bears and the Bill of Rights
    The Three Bears is used to introduce the concepts of Privacy, Property and Punishment.  The lesson ties the story to the 4th, 5th, 8th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.  The lesson refers to the version of the story retold and illustrated by Yuri Salzman.

    Horton Hatches the Egg and the Bill of Rights
    Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Suess is used to introduce concepts of Responsibility, Property, Freedom and Justice.  The lesson ties the story to the 5th, 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.

    Mayoral Races
    Introductory activities for the study of local government elections involving identifying community problems and describing these problems through art or writing.

    Local Election Activities
    A cross curriculum student centered approach to actively engaging students in a local election and to networking them with community members.

    What's in a face?
    Photographs of  candidates from newspapers are used to discuss media bias.

    Drawing to Win
    A drawing game that encourages students to anaylze the contents of headlines, and the nature of editorial cartoons.

    Polls Prediction
    Students analyze polling data for a local election.  Then they make their own predictions, and compare them to actual election results. This lesson involves cross curricular math activities.

    Marketing the Candidate
    Students will analyze campaign litereature, political advertisements and media coverage of candidates to think critically about the media's role in elections.

    American Focus on World Constitutions 2
    Handout for students to research and create a profile of the demographic, economic, political, and geographic features of the United States. Second handout leads students through a detailed reading of the U.S. Constitution.

    American Focus on World Constitutions 3
    Students learn about constitutions by writing one for Mars.

    1965 Alabama Literacy Test
    A copy of the 1965 Alabama Literacy Test used as part of voter registration.  Answers are included.

    You decide:A jury simulation
    Jury simulation for the case of Who Stole the Cookies?

    Conciliation Court
    This lesson will teach students about the conciliation court system for small claims.

    Appeals
    Students learn about the appeal process through moot court simulations. By developing and presenting an argument to the judges, students develop an understanding of appellate procedure as well as constitutional issues argued.

    People's Rights Change With the Decisions of the Courts
    Students will be asked to analyze the Bill of Rights and look at historic and recent court decisions to see if individual rights have been expanded or limited by the courts decisions.

    Presenting Constitutional Issues in a Non-adversarial Mode
      Students will learn about the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth Amendments through research, review, and application in a friendly competition.

    The Exclusionary Rule
    Students act as appellate court judges that are deciding cases dealing with evidence that was seized bypolice officers.

    The Love Note: An Introductory Lesson on the
    This discussion activity and review of California v. Greenwood can be used to build interest and promote debate on the constitutional right of privacy.

    3 Branches of Government Posters
    Make classroom posters as a visual introduction to the 3 branches of government.

    Symbols of Justice
    Use the traditional visual symbols of justice to talk about the factors judges consider when making decisions.

    State Government Posters
    Introduce students to State Government officials and powers by making posters.  If paired with the 3 Branches of Government Posters this lesson also offers insight into Federalism.

    GRASP the First Amendment
    Quick and easy memory aide to the rights protected by the First Amendment.

    The Powers of E
    Simple memory tool to help remember how powers are separated between the three branches.

    Equal Protection and Girls' Sports
    Title 9, the law that required schools to offer sports to both girls and boys equally, can be used as an introduction to the concept of "fairness" under Equal Protection.

    Hands-On Government
    The creation of a graphic organizer will help students understand the roles that the three branches play, as well as the checks they have over one another. 

    Sources of Law and Courts
    Simple introduction to sources of law and what courts do. Student worksheet provided for review.

    Juvenile Court
    Introduce students to the rules and purposes for Juvenile Court.

    Right to an Attorney
    Introduction to the right to an attorney in juvenile settings.

    Conciliation Court
    Introduction to the jurisdiction and purpose of Conciliation Court.

    Juvenile Protection and Services
    Students will develop understanding of the steps in the juvenile protection and services process in nondelinquency cases.

    Parenting
    Students will learn about the legal responsibilities of parenting.

    Paternity and Child Custody
    Students will understand how paternity and child custody are established and enforced.

    Visitation and Child Support
    Students will understand the law surrounding visitation and child support and how it is enforced.

    Children in Foster Homes
    Students will learn the procedure for placing a juvenile in foster care.  They will also learn the rights of a juvenile while living in foster care.

    Guardian Ad Litem & Child Intermediary
    Students will learn about Guardians Ad Litem and Child Intermediarys - how they are used by the courts and what their powers are.

    Living Away From Home
    Students will learn about emancipation from parents for youth under the age of 18.

    Runaways
    Students will learn about the law surrounding runaways.

    Child Abuse and Neglect
    Students will learn definitions of physical, sexual abuse and endangerment. 

    Child Protection
    Students learn about the Child Protection process.

    Domestic Abuse and Order for Protection
    Students will learn about domestic abuse and orders for protection.

    Harassment and Restraining Orders
    Students will learn the legal defintion of harassment and about restraining orders.

    Termination of Parental Rights
    Students will learn about the reasons parental rights can be terminated, and the process required for terminating them.

    Near v. Minnesota
    Through a case study of Near v. Minnesota, students will learn about the free press as described by the Supreme Court.

    Introduction to Juvenile Delinquency
    A historical introduction to treating juvenile offenders differently under the law.

    Juvenlile Delinquency Process
    Students will learn the steps in Juvenile Delinquency Process.

    Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile
    Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile (EJJ) is a process in the juvenile system that is designed to give a serious youth offender "one last chance."

    Juvenile Certification
    Certification is a proceeding in juvenile court in which the court determines if a juvenile will stand trial as an adult.

    Juvenile Sentencing
    If the court finds that a juvenile is delinquent, it conducts a disposition hearing in which the court determines what the disposition (sentence in adult court) will be.

    Minnesota v. Hershberger
    Supreme Court case dealing with religious freedom and the requirement for slow moving vehicle signs on horse buggies.

    Mueller v. Allen
    Supreme Court decision about Freedom of Religion and public tax support for religious schools.

    Minnesota v. Murphy
    Minnesota case that went to the Supreme Court that deals with the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination.

    Criminal Law
    Legal standards for a crime.

    Investigation and Arrest
    Introduction to the laws surrounding investigation and arrest.

    Common Felonies
    An introduction to legal definitions of common felonies.

    Steps in a Criminal Case
    Introduction to the steps in a criminal case and standards of proof.

    Self Defense
    Introduction to the legal definition of self defense.

    Plea Bargaining
    Introduction to the definition, process and pros/ cons of plea bargains.

    Punishment
    Introduction to alternative punishments in a criminal case.

    Sentencing
    Introduction to how sentencing guidelines work in criminal law.

    Overview & Users Guide
    The LegalWays: Lessons on Everyday Law and the Legal System curriculum provides very practical information on the laws.

    Strategies and Follow Up

    The Legal System
    Teaching Guide for The Legal System in Legal Ways curriculum.

    Juvenile Protection
    Teaching Guide for The Legal System in Legal Ways curriculum.

    Juvenile Delinquency
    Teaching Guide for The Legal System in Legal Ways curriculum.

    Criminal Law
    Teaching Guide for The Legal System in Legal Ways curriculum

    Living
    Teaching Guide for The Legal System in Legal Ways curriculum

    Minnesota in the Supreme Court
    Introduction to lessons on Supreme Court Cases involving Minnesotans.

    Search and Seizure
    Introduction to the laws regarding searches.

    Working
    Introduction to employment laws for young people.

    Finding and Renting a Place to Live
    An introduction to Landlord/ Tenant law.

    Repairs
    Introduction to Landlord Tenant law surrounding maintenance of an apartment.

    Moving Out
    Students will learn about the responsibilities involved in moving out of an apartment.

    Eviction
    Frequently asked questions about the law permitting eviction.

    Buying new stuff
    Practical information about finances.

    Returning new stuff
    Frequently asked questions about warranty and returning items.

    Minnesota Courts
    Students will learn about the Minnesota Court System, including types of courts and judicial districts.

    A Question of Life and Death
    This lesson will explore the death penalty debate by having students examine their own attitudes to its use, by studying the process that is required by the Constitution, and by considering difficult applications.

    Dred Scott
    Interdisciplinary curriculum involving language arts, social studies, and art for sixth grade students. These skills will focus on the 13th Amendment.

    Privacy and the Fourth Amendment
    In this lesson you will be examining the right of privacy and acting as judges to weigh the rights of the individual against the needs of the community in light of changing technology.

    Pleading the Fifth
    This lesson will teach students about the Fifth Amendment's protection against self incrimination by analyzing hypothetical situations applying the amendment.

    Draw the Line: Public Safety v. Amenability to Treatment
    This role play activity provides students an opportunity to examine thecomplex issues and emotions involved in determining certification of a juvenile to adult court.

    The Case of Pat Smith
    A who-dunnit activity with fingerprints, mug shots and other clues to learn about the rules of evidence.

    Case Studies on the Sixth Amendment:
    Use case studies to learn about the sixth amendment right to counsel.

    The Right to Counsel
    A review of Supreme Court cases to understand the development of the Right to Counsel.

    Mini Mock Trial Manual
    Mock trials conducted within one or two class periods help students learn about courts and trials in an interesting and enjoyable way. 

    Stone v. Burton
    Mini Mock Trial of Stone v. Burton dealing with the issues of domestic abuse and an order for protection.

    Joe Jackson v. Andrew Middle School
    Mini Mock Trial Joe Jackson v. Andrew Middle School dealing with a student expulsion.

    Jetson v. Spacely
    Mini Mock Trial Jetson v. Spacely dealing with personal injury and negligence.

    Minnesota v. Paulson
    Mini Mock Trial, Minnesota v. Paulson deals with criminal prosecution of reckless driving.

    State v. Tony
    Mini Mock Trial, State v. Tony deals with issues of evidence in a criminal trial.

    State v. Alli
    Mini Mock Trial, State v. Alli, is a criminal trial involving possession of marijuana.

    State v. Jesse Sunderson
    Mini Mock Trial, State v. Jesse Sunderson, is about damage to school property.

    State v. Brian Marshall
    Mini Mock Trial, State v. Brian Marshall, involves criminal prosecution for a hazing incident in a school.

    State v. Jacobs
    Mini Mock Trial, State v. Jacobs, deals with a hate crime.

    Brianna Noll v. Jefferson Schools
    Mini Mock Trial, Brianna Noll v. Jefferson Schools, deals with a school expulsion.

    Minnesota v. T.J. Schmidt
    Mini Mock Trial, State of Minnesota v. T.J. Schmidt, a criminal trial dealing with personal watercraft use.