Civics Lessons

Lesson Topic: Civil Law

Krabbs v. Plankton Mock Trial

Students learn about the different roles and responsibilities in a court by participating in a mock trial.

The Problem of SpongeBob RoundPants

This short scripted mock trial for grades 4-6 involves SpongeBob suing Abercrombie and Fish for pants that don’t fit. Scripted parts allow the trial to move quickly to jury deliberations during which the student jurors actually decide the verdict of the case.

Understanding Contracts

In this lesson, students are asked which of two chocolate bars – one with nuts, one without – they prefer. A single representative is taken from each preference group. These representatives are given the chocolate bar that they prefer less, motivating a contractual trade. One student unknowingly has an empty wrapper, eliciting debate after the trade is completed. The class concludes by discussing possible equitable solutions.

Perdante v. Dalton Academy

Case developed for the 2013 Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament: Civil Case
The plaintiff, a member of an up-and-coming high-school mock-trial team, alleges that the defendant, a rival school, made defamatory statements about the plaintiff in the defendant’s online newspaper.

Civil Law

Civics Lessons

Krabbs v. Plankton Mock Trial

The Problem of SpongeBob RoundPants

Understanding Contracts

Perdante v. Dalton Academy

Jamie Anderson v. Taylor Williams

Sidney Young vs. Riley Gardner

Brooks v. Lawrence and the Clearwater Police Department

Mable vs. Clearwater Sheep and Cattle Company

In the Matter of Shelby Withers vs. Clearwater School District

Jamie R. Killian v. R.A.G.E. Enterprises & Chris Schultz