The core mission of the social studies curriculum is education for democratic citizenship. The middle school years are an important time frame in which to fulfill that core mission. Policymakers, educators, community members, and parents need to recognize that civic education at the middle level years is important. One effective method for…

Play by the Rules is a law-related education program that teaches youth about citizens' responsibility to abide by laws. The seventh-grade curriculum is adaptable for juvenile corrections and youth services settings. (SK)

This resource guide, for teachers and students in the upper elementary and middle school grades, has been developed in response to the nationwide interest in asking schools to play an active role in preparing students to become informed and responsible citizens. The guide is divided into seven sections, one for each character trait: Caring, Civic…

Civic education seeks to engage students in their communities by teaching them the necessary skills to effectively participate in society. The middle school years are a crucial time for the development of civic roles and responsibilities. The report documents "We the People...Project Citizen," a national civic education program for…

Written by classroom teachers from around the country, this compilation of 28 lesson plans on the U.S. Constitution and related topics is adaptable to many grade levels. Lesson titles include "Exercise Your Constitution: Constitutional Olympics for the Classroom"; "ERA for Children"; "It's in Your Pocket" (minting of…

A compilation of more than 50 lesson plans on law related education, these materials were written by middle school and high school teachers from around the United States. The lessons cover a broad range of topics including "DNA Fingerprints and the Constitutional Right to Privacy"; "Censorship and Book Banning in Public Schools"; "The Death…

This collection of four short articles describes initiatives of the American Bar Association that bring the skills of mediation to the classroom. Suzanne Miller discusses a program that trains students to become mediators equipped to resolve disputes in their school peacefully. The program turns problem students into positive role models, teaches…

Presents a lesson on famous trials for middle and high school social studies classrooms. Asks the students to choose and research an important historical or contemporary trial and to explain its significance to the past and the present. Gives a list of famous trials and an accompanying handout. (CMK)

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has designated the week of September 17-21, 2001, as "Back to School Week." During this week, state legislators from throughout the country are encouraged by NCSL to contact principals and teachers in their respective districts and arrange for classroom visits to help students…

This curriculum unit provides middle-school teachers a series of innovative and easy-to-use lessons for the classroom. Five core lessons give students a background in the role of police in society and issues of community crime and safety, prepare students to take part in the Police Patrol simulation with actual officers, and challenge students to…

This manual is intended to serve as a resource book for law professors and program directors who would like to conduct a program for teaching law students to instruct the public in their areas of the law. Over 30 law schools nationwide offer credit or compensation to law students to teach in the community, primarily in high schools, but also in…

Designed for grades six through nine, this manual teaches students how the Pennsylvania juvenile justice system works. It explains what a juvenile can expect if accused of violating Pennsylvania law in the hope of convincing students to stay out of trouble with the law. The manual gives a brief history of juvenile justice and a description of the…

This document, a teacher's manual, was published as part of the state of Massachusetts' observance of the bicentennial of the United States Constitution. The manual accompanies a videotape on the topic. Together, the materials can help educators identify the people, places, and pictures that they can use to underscore the significance of the Bill…

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)

"Equality: Changing the Rules of the Game" is a lesson plan designed to encourage students to explore the changing definitions of equality and its impact. "The Expansion of Voting Rights" lesson plan provides middle school students with an overview of the historical development of voting rights. (GEA)