This lesson is designed to teach students to appreciate the most basic practices of democracy in the United States: The lesson can be taught in three or four 45-minute class periods. At the heart of the lesson are three easy-to-teach activities (or simulations).
Civics Lessons
Grade Level: Grades 9-12
Appreciating Democracy
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
This case summary provides teachers with everything they need to teach about Gideon v. Wainwright (1963). It contains background information in the form of summaries and important vocabulary at three different reading levels, as well a review of relevant legal concepts, diagram of how the case moved through the court system, and summary of the decision. This resource also includes nine classroom-ready activities that teach about the case using interactive methods.
Brooks v. Lawrence and the Clearwater Police Department
Case developed for the 2007 Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament
Civil Case-unnecessary force
2nd Amendment and the Courts
After reading and discussion of federal gun policies and proposals, their pros and cons, and the Second Amendment, students debate the merits of different gun policies.
What Makes Lawmakers Tick?
This is the final lesson of three lessons on the Fundamentals of Representative Democracy.
This lesson is designed to give students a better idea of what makes members of Congress and state legislators tick. What motivates them, why do they run, what attributes and skills do they possess, and what is the nature of their jobs? This lesson relies upon a lawmaker being invited and coming to class to answer student questions about legislative life.
Case of the Shipwrecked Sailors
Sudents review a case study which helps them distinguish between legal and ethical questions
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
This case summary provides teachers with everything they need to teach about Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988). It contains background information in the form of summaries and important vocabulary at three different reading levels, as well a review of relevant legal concepts, diagram of how the case moved through the court system, and summary of the decision. This resource also includes seven classroom-ready activities that teach about the case using interactive methods.
US v. Jamie Becker and Kim Hanks
Case developed for the 2006 Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament
Criminal Case-counterfeiting
We the People
Students recognize the different parts of the U.S. Constitution and conduct a close text reading to discover the meaning and significance of each part. Throughout the lesson, students will track the development of the Constitution from the original document and its articles to the amendments up through the 1992 edition of the Twenty-Seventh Amendment.
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
This case summary provides teachers with everything they need to teach about Tinker v. Des Moines (1969). It contains background information in the form of summaries and important vocabulary at three different reading levels, as well a review of relevant legal concepts, diagram of how the case moved through the court system, and summary of the decision. This resource also includes seven classroom-ready activities that teach about the case using interactive methods.