Defining law-related education (LRE) as "education to equip nonlawyers with knowledge and skills pertaining to the law, the legal process, and the legal system, and the fundamental principles and values on which these are based, this Digest outlines four essential elements of LRE. These are: (1) subject matter and concepts; (2) instructional…

This digest discusses issues related to teaching about the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It begins by quoting the amendment that protects citizens of the United States against unreasonable searches and seizures, and goes on to discuss how the understanding and interpretation of the amendment have been influenced by historical events,…

This document presents "Indiana v. Jamie L. Curtis," a fictional court case stemming from the search by school officials of a student's bookbag. The case is based upon the actual U.S. Supreme Court case of New Jersey v. T.L.O., which involved similar facts. The document includes background materials on the Fourth Amendment to the U.S.…

Intended for use by high school U.S. history and government teachers and students, these scripted trials and related materials are designed to help students develop an understanding about important ideas in the U.S. Constitution. The document focuses on three fundamental issues of the Bill of Rights: search and seizure, freedom of expression, and…

Since 1789, the Supreme Court has been making decisions that affect all U.S. citizens. The study of Supreme Court cases, therefore, should be an integral part of civic education. This ERIC Digest discusses: (1) constitutional issues and Supreme Court cases that should be taught; and (2) effective strategies for teaching them. It also includes a…

In an effort to acquaint educators in social studies with resources in law-related education, this resource guide lists national and state organizations and coordinators and materials available through those organizations as well as those from various publishers and the ERIC database. Selected teaching and learning materials in various media are…

Directed to secondary school teachers of history, government, and civics, this book is designed to fit common educational objectives in secondary school curriculum guides that call for teaching and learning about the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. The volume is intended to encourage careful reading, analysis, and classroom…

These materials include the script for a mock trial in which students are asked to role play the participants in a case based on the facts of New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985). The case raised questions involving a students' rights to protection against unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment and schools' needs to…