Federal Judicial Center
Amistad and Dred Scott—a Comparative Activity
What do slaves fighting for their freedom on board a ship and a slave fighting for his freedom in a courtroom have in common? Budding historians investigate the two different cases of the Amistad slave revolt and the Dred Scott argument....
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Rights Under the Fourth Amendment
Twelfth graders examine the Fourth Amendment and discuss an actual Supreme court case. They determine whether or not the person's rights were violated. they search newspapers for articles where the Fourth Amendment may have been violated
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Government: Missouri Bar Civics Library
Students visit the Missouri bar Website to examine information about the U.S. Constitution and its Amendments. They complete a variety of activities from the provided lessons including the judiciary, Fourth Amendment issues, civil law,...
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Unit on International Law and Organizations
Pupils participate in a debate between internationalists and the rights of sovereign nations. They read interviews and role play one of the sides in a mock interview.
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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...
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The Development of Antitrust Enforcement
Students analyze antitrust enforcement. In this American economics lesson plan, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the free market system and antitrust laws. Students respond to discussion...
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Progressives and the Era of Trustbusting
Students investigate the free-market system and anti-trust laws. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on the details of monopolies and the progressive reform movement to establish...
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The Beginnings of Constitutional Government
Students examine excerpts of Thomas Paine's Common Sense. In this early American history lesson plan, students read Paine's pamphlet and analyze the information according the rubric provided.
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The Constitution: Written or Unwritten?
Students form teams and debate whether the Canadian Constitution has evolved to be primarily written or unwritten.
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The Written and Unwritten Constitution
high schoolers examine the written and unwritten nature of Canada's Constitution, and argue which (if either) has a greater influence in Canada's governance.
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Quotas and Jim Crow Laws
Students examine the use of quotas and Jim Crow laws. They discuss discrimination against minority groups both historically and in contemporary society. Students examine an affirmative action case and discuss the controversies involved.
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The Bill of Rights
Students discuss the Bill of Rights. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students discuss laws and rights. Students read a textbook selection about the bill of Rights, complete a vocabulary word activity, and complete guided reading...
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Voting and the U.S. Constitution (Past, Present, and Future)
Students discuss the 26th Amendment, then write letters to a future guest speaker. Students listen to the guest speaker and ask them questions about voting and voter turnout. Students then create handbills urging citizens to vote.
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A Visitor from Outer Space
Students read the handout, "A Visitor from Outer Space" and discuss the bill of rights. They complete the Bill of Right checklist individually or in small groups then complete a poll ranking each freedom. Students write reasoning behind...
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Susan B. Anthony and the 19th Amendment
Students take a closer look at the Women's Suffrage Movement in America. In this women's rights lesson, students research suffrage leaders and write papers about them. Students then read and discuss information about Susan B. Anthony's...
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Public Schools and Prayer - Do They Mix?
Students discuss and research different Supreme Court cases and examine religious freedom and prayer in public schools.
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Perseverance and the First Amendment
Students investigate the right to petition and assemble. In this Bill of Rights instructional activity, students read the First Amendment and discuss the rights guaranteed by the amendment. Students research selected groups and movements...
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"Every Mother's Son" Lesson Plan
Students recall and discuss personal encounters with local police and then watch a video on the subject.
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Bill of Rights
Students research, list, define and discuss all the aspects to the United States Bill of Rights. They assess their foundations by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson and reflect on all the conditions happening at the time period of...
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The Supreme Court
Students examine the Fourteenth Amendment. In this Supreme Court lesson, students define due process and equal protection as they analyze the impact of the amendment and the Supreme Court on workers' rights in the early 20th century....
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Are We the People?
Students investigate their elected officials and their roles. For this governmental leadership lesson, students discuss the Constitution and research their elected officials. They also organize the information they find regarding the...
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Cyber-crime
Learners discuss what types of Internet activity are or should be considered criminal, examine how criminal prohibitions against certain types of Internet activity are best implemented in law, determine whether computer crimes are unique...
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Searching for Answers
How does a judge in the federal judicial court decide on a verdict? Give your middle and high schoolers a better idea of how final decisions are made in the judicial system. Then split your class into four groups, assigning each group a...
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The President's Roles and Responsibilities: Understanding the President's Job
Students examine the roles and responsibilites of the president of the U.S. They identify and discuss the three branches of U.S. government, view and discuss a White House Photo essay online, and create a class book entitled, 'If I Were...