Curated OER
How to Write a Bill
High schoolers view video excerpts from, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and discuss them to brainstorm how to write a bill. They divide into two groups representing senate committees to participate in a mark-up session where they read...
Curated OER
I'm Just a Bill
Fourth graders study the three branches of government and the process of how a bill becomes a law. They watch the School House Rock video "I'm Just a Bill" and sing the song after viewing the video. They answer question regarding a bill...
Curated OER
Human Trafficking & Modern Day Slavery - Laws & Conventions
Students are introduced to the topic of human trafficking. They identify the reasons why people are trafficked and the laws and conventions around the globe that punish this type of behavior. Using the internet, they describe how the...
Curated OER
The Laws of the Land
Students examine state quarters and discuss how national and state agencies worked together to create them. They examine state laws and national laws to see how they differ. They explore the process for making a law.
Curated OER
Following the Law
Students discriminate between what makes a rule or law good or bad. They each choose a classroom problem and come up with a rule to solve it. They present their rules to the class, who discusses whether to adopt the rule.
Curated OER
Jaywalking
Students study the consequences of breaking laws. They role-play jaywalking and what could happen if they participate in this behavior.
Curated OER
Gender Equity in the Classroom
Young scholars review employment statistics and wages over the past 20 years. They examine the Federal Work Force Laws. They apply formulas to find the rate of change in the minimum wage.
Curated OER
Laws
Students discuss laws and their importance. They discuss silly or unique laws and explore the process that must be followed to make a law.
Curated OER
Rules and Laws of the Community
Second graders recognize and identify the need for rules in school. They also discuss the importance of safety rules at school, home, and in the community. They illustrate a rule which they have learned in class, and write letters to the...
Curated OER
How an Idea Becomes a Law
Students create posters that demonstrate the step-by-step process of how ideas become laws. They list the fourteen steps of a bill becoming a law, describe a presidential veto, and define override.
Curated OER
Hammurabi's Code of Laws
Learners explore why the need arose for laws to govern society, comparing and contrasting hunter/gatherer societies vs. agrarian societies. They write letters to the editor of the Babylonian Times, discussing their opinion of Hammurabi's...
Curated OER
Handling Constituents
Students explore ideas to share their ideas with constituents. In this lesson, students watch a presentation that shares ideas on how to help the government deal with challenges.
Curated OER
The Bill Of Rights And The News
High schoolers investigate the concepts related to the Bill Of Rights. They conduct research using a variety of resources and focus upon the human rights provided in the legislation. Students read a news article and reflect the upon the...
Curated OER
How Does Parliament Make Laws?
Learners are introduced to how Parliament makes laws. In groups, they play a game in which they identify the purpose of petitions. To end the lesson, they work together to create a new petition on an issue of importance to them and...
Curated OER
The Journey of a Bill
Fifth graders discover how a bill becomes a law in America. After watching a video, they put the steps of a bill becoming a law into the correct order. They create their own bill that they believe needs to be passed out of construction...
Curated OER
"Environmental Activism and its Components"
Students explore how an individual has power and voice in all levels of the government as well as in the making of laws that involve environmental issues and regulations. They assess the steps involved in turning a bill into law. In...
Curated OER
Exploring County Ordinances
Middle schoolers examine county ordinances, develop understanding of degree to which county government serves and regulates citizens, describe competing interests involved in making local political policy, and decide whether government...
Curated OER
Local Laws Citizens Follow
Students identify and disuss the various laws that are in place in their commmunity. In groups, they illustrate the different laws and write a description. As a class, they discuss the reasons why the laws are necessary and their...
Curated OER
Introduction to Law I
Students identify four basic values (economic, social, moral, and political) protected by law, examine different definitions of values, and correlate laws to values they aim to protect.
Curated OER
Direct and Cross-Examination
Learners continue to prepare for their mock trial. In groups, they are introduced on how to properly cross and direct examine someone using the techniques. They practice each technique on one another and compete against other groups in...
Curated OER
A Town in Trouble
Students identify and describe the parameters and analytical techniques used to characterize water contamination in a class presentation. They identify the consequences of high contamination levels in the water supply during a class...
Curated OER
The Smacking Debate
Students compare and contrast the United States laws with other countries laws on spanking children. After reading an article, they discuss how adults and children are treated differently within the law. In groups, they compare and...
Curated OER
Island Project
A new island has been discovered and Students use their knowledge of map skills to create a map illustrating economic development and resources. They determine the laws of the island and support each law with appropriate core values.
Curated OER
Mock Legislative Body
Students form into a mock legislative body based on their self-defined political profiles and discuss what things they would like to change in their classroom, school, and/or community. They will also propose simple laws and vote on them.