Dear teachers and homeschooling parents – Virtual learning options are now more important than ever. These resources come to you directly from the U.S. Courts and from the Judicial Learning Center in St. Louis. See below for NEW! COMPARING STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS, PODCAST ACTIVITIES, VIDEO ACTIVITIES, ONLINE LEARNING MODULES, and ADAPTABLE LESSON PLANS.
If you have questions or are looking for something else in particular, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Info@JudicialLearningCenter.org
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Comparing State and Federal Courts
Learn about the judicial branch from federal and state judges through this new program package, which includes a video and related activities.
See the video and materials HERE.
PODCAST ACTIVITIES
Landmark Cases Podcasts
Landmark Cases Podcast Activity Sheet WORD PDF
- Podcasts:
- U.S. Courts Landmark Cases podcast series (approx. 3 minutes each)
- C-Span Landmark Cases podcast series (34-40 minutes each, scroll down to “Landmark Cases”)
Podcast Listening Activity
Podcast Listening Guide WORD PDF
- Suggested Civics, Government, and Law Podcasts:
- We the People and Live @ America’s Town Hall – The National Constitution Center
- Civics 101 – NHPR Radio
- Is it Legal To…? – The Missouri Bar
- Also:
- 60-Second Civics Podcast and Daily Civics Quiz – Center for Civic Education
- Podcast-Based Lesson Plan, Framers of the Constitution – Center for Civic Education
Create a Podcast Lesson Plan
VIDEO ACTIVITIES
For each of the topics, there is a U.S. Courts video featuring federal judges and other court officials from around the country. Each video has a corresponding student activity sheet.
Separation of Powers
Separation of Powers Activity Sheet WORD
Separation of Powers Activity Sheet PDF
Judicial Independence
Judicial Independence Activity Sheet WORD
Judicial Independence Activity Sheet PDF
Rule of Law
Rule of Law Activity Sheet WORD
Rule of Law Activity Sheet PDF
Jury Service
Jury Service Activity Sheet 1 WORD
Jury Service Activity Sheet 1 PDF
Jury Service Activity Sheet 2 WORD
Jury Service Activity Sheet 2 PDF
Right to Counsel
Right to Counsel Activity Sheet WORD
Right to Counsel Activity Sheet PDF
From Suffragist Sashes to Antiwar Armbands
From Suffragist Sashes to Antiwar Armbands Activity Sheet WORD
From Suffragist Sashes to Antiwar Armbands Activity Sheet PDF
Expanded WebQuest Activity WORD
Expanded WebQuest Activity PDF
Careers in the Judicial Branch
Career Videos (Follow this link to a landing page for the videos)
Careers Activity sheet WORD
Careers Activity sheet PDF
ONLINE LEARNING MODULES
For each of the topics, there is an online learning module. Each smaller section within a topic module ends with an online quiz. There are pre- and post- tests for each module. There is also an optional student sheet for each (click on webquest) to follow along with the quizzes.
The Role of the Federal Courts
Organization of the Federal Courts
How Courts Work
Landmark Cases
LESSON PLANS
Some of our lesson plans can easily be adapted for students working at home.
- Rule of Law WebQuest
- Article III WebQuest
- Separation of Powers/Qualifications of Office
- Qualifications of Judges
- Judicial Independence, What’s Wrong With This Court?
- Understanding the Types of Cases
- Trial by Jury
OTHER RESOURCES
- Street Law – Materials for At-Home Learning
- The Missouri Bar – Resource Center for Learning About Government
- U.S. Courts – Online Tools Make Civics Accessible to Teachers, Parents, and Teens
- U.S. Courts – YouTube Playlist for Students and Teachers
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana – Educational Resources Page
- For high school students – The National Constitution Center’s Interactive Constitution
- For elementary and middle school students – iCivics Educational Games