Presents a brief conceptual background on the First Amendment freedoms and due process. Offers three case studies to help students explore the issue of balancing First Amendment freedoms with the governmental responsibility for the common good. (JDH)

John F. Khanlian, Ericka B. Gray and Sandi Dittrich offer a role playing activity on mediation. Jo Ellen Ambrose's and John Nelson's lessons deal with arbitration. Lowell Ueland's simulation is concerned with plea bargaining, and Jack Hanna's activity involves a discussion of lawyer responsibility to provide pro bono services. (KO)

Presents a lesson plan that uses cases to teach students about three types of torts: intentional wrongs, negligence, and strict liability. Torts are wrongful actions (not involving a breech of contract) that may result in a civic action. Includes lesson procedures, objectives, and student handouts on torts and negligence cases. (MJP)

Presents a series of instructional activities to be used in conjunction with a poster that identifies types of cases and processes associated with civil law. Includes procedures for the instructional activities, objectives, a poster, and student handouts using tables and graphs to illustrate current facts about tort law. (MJP)

Engages students in comparing the rights proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) with those present in the United States Bill of Rights and other constitutional amendments. Challenges the students to explore reasons for the presence or absence of certain rights and to reflect on the role of the government. (CMK)

Presents a lesson on capital punishment for juveniles based on three hypothetical cases. The goal of the lesson is to have students understand the complexities of decisions regarding the death penalty for juveniles. (JDH)

Introduces students to the issues of constitutional free speech, and provides hypothetical situations that allows them to make decisions concerning a proposed action and to identify when free speech is protected by the First Amendment. Each action is based on a legal precedent, and the teacher is provided with case references to aid in classroom…

Profiles "Civil Law Mini-Trials," an instructional activity developed by P.A.T.C.H. (Participatory Awareness Through Community Help). The Mini-Trials allow students to participate in mock civil cases including preparation, presentation of arguments, debriefing afterwards, and a discussion of the real case verdict. Discusses other P.A.T.C.H.…

Presents the materials and procedures for a lesson plan designed to teach students to understand the functions and issues concerning Congress and to identify appropriate representatives and senators. Instructional activities include having students investigate the work of various committees, doing research on the Internet, and contacting their…

Offers a lesson plan for teaching upper elementary and middle school students about the First Amendment. The lesson begins by inviting students to censor government criticism in the local newspaper and may be expanded to include an introduction to the Bill of Rights. (JDH)

Offers a lesson in which students examine the issue of mandatory drug and alcohol testing in public schools. Students develop a policy for their own school after considering a hypothetical policy statement and attendant legal issues. (JDH)

Presents a lesson plan that introduces students to the tort system of law and the responsibilities of the civil jury. The lesson involves student research and a mock jury trial establishing legal responsibility for a fatal automobile accident. Includes a list of objectives, classroom procedures, and handouts on jury deliberations. (MJP)

This document consists of one volume (3 issues) of a serial devoted to law-related education (LRE) that offers background information on a wide range of legal issues with teaching strategies for LRE. The themes for the issues include: (1) character education; (2) conflict resolution; and (3) the 1996 election. Each issue proposes teaching methods…

Presents two lessons for grades 1-4 which help students understand responsibility by considering situations from children's literature; in this case, THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN by Browning and FANTASTIC MR. FOX by Dahl. Provides discussion questions, suggestions for role playing, and a mock trial activity which involves students with visiting…

Gayle Mertz offers simulations covering balloting and the juvenile court system along with a legislation drafting activity. Mercedes J. Newsome provides guidance on the use of community resource persons. Teri Wilson's activity simulates a juvenile proceeding while Richard Marcroft and Elenor Taylor describe a simulation of small claims court. (KO)