LESSON PLANS AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR SCHOOL VISITS

Resource material is added on a continual basis. Please continue to monitor this page frequently.

To access the some of the material below you will need either the Adobe Acrobat Reader or the Microsoft Power Point Viewer.

• Icebreakers - These are short 20-minute activities that can be used as stand alone activities or introductory exercises.
• Teaching About Controversial Issues - Students practice listening to other's opinions, consider polar positions on controversial topics and their impact, and practice the skill of stating and analyzing a position.
• The Foundation of Our Freedom - A powerpoint quiz for students to test their knowledge of the history behind the Declaration of Independence. Answer Key for Volunteers

• Invaders Activity Plus Case Summaries and PowerPoint Presentations Version 1 (shorter)- Can be completed in one class period. Version 2 (longer)- Requires at least 90 minutes. The Invaders Activity is designed to introduce students to the rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.
• The First Amendment - This activity creates an awareness of the five rights contained in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
• The Candy Game - This activity will help students understand the need for rules, the rulemaking process and the role of the student/citizen.
• Planet Lawless - An activity to teach students about the importance of laws in a civilized society.
• No Animals Allowed On School Grounds plus PowerPoint Presentation. This activity allow students to discuss how rules and laws are written and interpreted.
• NEW The Truth About Bullies plus Power Point Presentation- This activity teaches students about the characteristics of bullies. Tools for addressing bullying conduct in school are also presented.

Justice By The People (Grades 5 - 8) - from Scholastic. Note: This interactive lesson plan satisfies the following Sunshine State Standards for Grade 5, Civics and Government: Standard 3 SS.5.C.3.3, SS.5.C.3.6

• Make Your Case Game Overview
• Overview of the Unit Plan
• Play the "Make Your Case" Game

• Invaders Activity Plus Case Summaries and PowerPoint Presentations Version 1 (shorter)- Can be completed in one class period. Version 2 (longer)- Requires at least 90 minutes. The Invaders Activity is designed to introduce students to the rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.
• Short Takes - Icebreakers - These are short 20-minute activities that can be used as stand alone activities or introductory exercises.
• State of Nature with Handout describing various types of govenment- This activity will give students the opportunity to develop their own form of government and how it will operate as well as the rights they will have in this new country.
• Florida's Constitutional Scavenger Hunt - This activity will help participants become familiar with the Florida Constitution and corresponding provisions for the state courts system.
• U.S. Constitutional Scavenger Hunt - This activity will help participants become familiar with the U.S. Constitution. Answer Key for the U.S. Constitutional Scavenger Hunt is provided!
• QUIZ SHOW: The Florida Courts and the Constitution Scavenger Hunt- This game show format provides a stimulating environment that will familiarize participants with the the Florida Constitution, the judicial branch, supreme court justices, judicial duties, the courts and more.
• You and the Law (pdf) Plus QUIZ SHOW: You and the Law (powerpoint) - This activity is designed to be used with the Legal Guide for New Adults brochure distributed by The Florida Bar. The QUIZ SHOW GAME format provides a stimulating environment for introducing legal content and encouraging further research on law-related topics.
• QUIZ SHOW: So You Want to be as Smart as a State Court Judge? (PowerPoint) - This activity is designed for middle school students and is based on the popular quiz show "Are you Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" Questions pertain to the Florida Constitution, the US Constitution, Constitutional Rights, Supreme Corut Justices, Branches of Government, Qualificaitons of Judges, Amendments, Judicial Behavior, Jury Duty and the Courts.
• Judicial Discipline & Accountability (HIGH SCHOOL ONLY) - Providing effective remedies for judicial misconduct helps preserve judicial independence and maintain trust and confidence in the integrity of the courts. This lesson will introduce participants to judicial misconduct and how state court judges are subject to disciplinary action.
• No Animals Allowed On School Grounds plus PowerPoint Presentation. This activity allow students to discuss how rules and laws are written and interpreted.
• NEW The Truth About Bullies plus Power Point Presentation- This activity teaches students about the characteristics of bullies. Tools for addressing bullying conduct in school are also presented.
• NEW Bullies: Who Bullies Are, What Bullying Is, and How We Stop It plus Power Point Presentation and School District Policies on Bullying- This activity teaches students what types of conduct constitute bullying under Florida law. Tools for addressing bullying conduct in school, and the long term consequences of bullying, are also presented.

Justice By The People (Grades 5 - 8) - from Scholastic

• Make Your Case Game Overview
• Overview of the Unit Plan
• Play the "Make Your Case" Game

Judicial Decision Making - Case Studies - The goal of these activities is to understand how judges make decisions through the interpretation and application of the law.

• Florida v. J.L Decision Making Lesson and Power Point Presentation - Notes for Volunteers READ THE ACTUAL DECISION
• Video from the Bill of Rights Institute
• Morse v. Frederick Decision Making Lesson and Power Point Presentation READ THE ACTUAL DECISION
• District of Columbia v. Heller Decision Making Lesson and Power Point Presentation READ THE ACTUAL DECISION
• Safford Unified School District v. Redding Decision Making Lesson and Power Point Presentation READ THE ACTUAL DECISION
• Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co. Decision Making Lesson and Power Point Presentation READ THE ACTUAL DECISION
• Arizona v. Gant Decision Making Lesson and Power Point Presentation READ THE ACTUAL DECISION
• Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District Decision Making Lesson and Power Point Presentation READ THE ACTUAL DECISION
• City of Ontario, California v. Quon Decision Making Lesson and Power Point Presentation READ THE ACTUAL DECISION
• Kelo v. City of New London Decision Making Lesson and Power Point Presentation READ THE ACTUAL DECISION
• Brown v. Board of Education Decision Making Lesson and Power Point Presentation READ THE ACTUAL DECISION
• Bush v. Schiavo Decision Making Lesson and Power Point Presentation READ THE ACTUAL DECISION
• United States v. Nixon Decision Making Lesson and Power Point Presentation READ THE ACTUAL DECISION

NEW MATERIALS FOR ESE STUDENTS:

• Guidelines for Working With Developmentally Disabled Students
• First Amendment Activity and Answer Key- Best Suited for Elementary School Students.
• Jobs Related to the Law and Answer Key- Best Suited for Middle School Students.
• Compensatory and Punitive Damages and Answer Key- Best Suited for Middle School Students.

USEFUL WEBSITES:

• Bill of Rights Institute | elessons
• Landmark Cases - Resources and information on criminal law cases
• Oyez - U.S. Supreme Court Media web site
• http://www.deliberating.org/
• Justice Learning
• Center For Civic Education
• Teaching American History
• The Florida Supreme Court - A Link to the Court's Educational Resources For Judges and Lawyers Page
• Florida Law Related Education Association
• Florida Department of Education
• Florida Attorney General School Search Manual
• The Constitution Project- Offers brief informational videos about the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Florida Supreme Court Constitution Day Program Overview
• Handbook: Speak to American Values - Winning the Debate for Fair & Impartial Courts
• Justice Teaching Flyer

Surveys:

• ABA 2005 Survey on Knowledge of Civics
• Florida Bar 2006 Survey on Knowledge of Civics