Describes student forums as a means for students to learn through role-playing instead of reading a textbook or listening to a lecture. Explains that students debate the issue of independence of the U.S. judiciary in this sample forum. Provides detailed roles for students willing to express their positions during the panel discussion. (CMK)

Focuses on the U.S. Supreme Court justices review of their participation as a group. Addresses issues examined by the Court during the 2000 term, such as the First Amendment and drug searches. Explores topics that the Court examined in 2001. Includes the article, "Teaching Activities." (CMK)

Provides a moot court activity in which secondary students re-enact the U.S. Supreme Court case "California v. Greenwood," concerning the exclusionary rule and the privacy of a citizen's trash. Students role-play Supreme Court justices and attorneys to gain an understanding of how appellate courts operate. (LS)

The O. J. Simpson trials taught much of the United States a basic lesson in the difference between criminal law and civil law. Many students learn in their government classes that a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime. A person found innocent in a criminal trial, however, can be sued under civil law procedures for damages. It is…

Justifies teaching trials as a way to enrich the social studies curriculum. Explains that by incorporating the study of historical and contemporary trials into social studies classes, it furthers the civic competence of the students. Discusses different teaching approaches ranging from case studies and readers' theater to videos and literature.…

It is widely believed that the judiciary can maintain the rule of law and guarantee fundamental rights only if it is independent from political and other pressures. Most countries have provisions in their constitutions guaranteeing an independent judiciary. Usually, this independence has two faces: institutional measures that separate the…

A discussion guide, one in a series on constitutional reform issues developed by The Jefferson Foundation as a part of The Jefferson Meeting on the Constitution project, examines proposals to establish terms of office for the Federal judiciary. The first section discusses the historical background of the Federal judiciary including the issues of…

This module (part of a series of 24 modules) is on judicial and legislative influences relevant to mainstreaming. The genesis of these materials is in the 10 "clusters of capabilities," outlined in the paper, "A Common Body of Practice for Teachers: The Challenge of Public Law 94-142 to Teacher Education." These clusters form…

Outlines class activities to help students understand how the U.S. Supreme Court reaches its decisions and how the decisions change over time. Includes objectives, resources, issues and questions, procedures, and evaluations. Suggests that students will learn the facts and issues of important civil rights cases and form opinions on the decisions.…

This teaching guide is designed to accompany and enhance a two-part Public Broadcasting System video documentary about the U.S. Supreme Court's history, legal processes, and activities. The purpose of this series is to examine the institution that for 200 years has been the principal custodian of the U.S. Constitution. A background essay, written…

Presents a secondary school lesson to study the Supreme Court's interpretations of the Establishment Clause, explore why some Justices want to reconsider the separation of church and state, and make decisions about the constitutionality of school prayer. Includes seven student handouts and step-by-step instructional procedures. (CFR)