Illinois State Bar Association
Mock Trial Teacher Training
Whether you are new to the mock trial format or have extensive experience with the program, you'll find much to learn from this teacher training manual that includes strategies for teaching the various aspects of court room trials.
Museum of Tolerance
The Pursuit of Democracy and Diversity: The Trial of Pro-Social Injustice in Historical Documents and Accounts
Class members investigate The Indian Removal Act of 1830, U.S. Theft of Mexican Territory Timeline, and President Abraham Lincoln’s letter to Horace Greeley, 1862, and then conduct a mock trial of each of these documents to determine...
Curated OER
Lesson 5: In the Courtroom: Understanding the Players and the Action
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...
Channel Islands Film
Who Owns the Bones
A study of the history of the Channel Islands, located off the coast of southern California, continues as class members conduct a mock trial to determine which group of stakeholders should have the right to claim the remains of Juan...
Curated OER
Opening Statements -- Mock Trial Preparation
High schoolers prepare for their mock trials in the classroom. As a class, they are introduced to the elements to be included in an opening statement. They make their own statements and present them in front of the class. They make...
Curated OER
Street Law – Model Lesson Plan
Need a model plan for a mock trial? This four-page outline lists the goals, preparation, methods, and format of that activity.
Curated OER
Is it Housing Discrimination?
Twelfth graders examine the concept of discrimination. In this Current Events lesson plan, 12th graders prepare for a trial on discrimination. Students participate in these trials as a specific role.
Curated OER
That's MY Pencil: Simplified Mock Trial
Learners identify the process for settling a legal dispute, identify key players in a legal dispute (who presents the facts; who makes the final decision), and determine what makes a decision fair.
Curated OER
Environment: Mock Trial
Students role-play a trial regarding the taking of family property for a new water purification plant. Among the roles are the judge, attorneys, witnesses, plaintiff, mayor, and jury members. Once both sides present their case, the...
Curated OER
Was the Wolf Really Guilty?
High schoolers read plays, short stories, or novels which revolve around trials, and write essays explaining or defending the assigned role in a mock fairy tale trial.
Curated OER
Did Jack break the law?:
Students identify the process for settling a legal dispute, identify key players in a legal dispute (who presents the facts; who makes the final decision) and determine what makes a decision fair.
Curated OER
The Case of the Plugged Toilets:
Students identify the process for settling a criminal dispute (how are the facts of the case presented; how is the dispute resolved?, and
Curated OER
Portfolio Reviews
Students engage in a instructional activity that is concerned with the steps needed to put together a teaching portfolio. They collect artifacts to accompany the portfolio and then present them as a part of a cumulative project grade....
Curated OER
Bioethics: Debates in the Science Classroom
Students defend one side of a genetics ethics argument. They pull together a portfolio of human genetics and decision making skills. Students are allowed to prove what he/she has learned and express a personal opinion. They also are...