A discussion of literary works can aid in the development of civic understanding among elementary school children. This resource provides reviews for more than 100 children's literature titles. Each entry includes grade level and bibliographic information. Teaching guides are provided for 20 titles and include a summary of the story, suggestions…

Designed for Grades 3-5, this lesson plan aims to let the students learn how the Constitution of the United States provided the framework for the country's democratic form of government. Students will learn how the Constitution provided for representation within the government. A short story about the Boston Tea Party gives the background related…

Discusses the issue of providing adequate legal representation for persons condemned to death. Asks if the rights of a poor capital defendant charged with a capital crime in the South enjoys fewer rights than one in Los Angeles and whether this creates a dual system of justice. Suggests that state action for improvement may be slow in coming. (KO)

This document consists of the documentation and question sheets that accompany an educational computer program available on diskette. This product is an oral review of all the questions asked on the Immigration and Naturalization Service oral test for U.S. citizenship. Student answers are recorded by the computer. The teacher reviews answers…

Describes a flag-burning incident for classroom discussion on the issue of speech protected by the First Amendment. Includes background information and two legal opinions concerning the case. Encourages students to decide which opinion they agree with and which should be the majority opinion. (NL)

Presents five K-six lesson plans for law-related education. Mock trials by Gallagher and Michael R. Morris demonstrate a small claims court and apply concepts learned in the study of the constitution. Robey Alonzo and Steve Jenkins outline a brainstorming exercise while Katherine Zuzula offers exercises to help students understand immigration…

Discusses the juvenile justice system and the issues facing it. Provides a brief history of the development of the juvenile justice system. Points out that the quest for justice is influenced by cultural context and is not confined to the court system. Concludes that access to justice is an evolutionary process. (KO)

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…

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…

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…

Delineates the federal judiciary system's creation and evolution. Describes original judicial legislation, illustrating the judicial pyramid: district courts at the base, followed by federal circuit courts, with the Supreme Court at the apex. Identifies first Supreme Court justices. Observes that John Marshall's 34 years as Chief Justice firmly…

The readings presented in this textbook provide a balanced group of opinions. The topics covered are the Constitution, the Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy, judiciary, media, interest groups, and the people. Perspectives presented were written so that one can draw three dimensional objects on a two dimensional surface, giving a sense of…

The purpose of Law Day is to call the citizenry's attention to the principles and practices of U.S. law and justice. Activities held by community groups and schools to celebrate Law Day include mock trials, debates, essay and poster contests, and films. This guide was developed to assist community groups or classes to participate in the observance…

One of the most important ways that individual citizens become involved in the federal judicial process is by serving on a jury. Jury service is one of the few legal responsibilities citizens in the United States have to their government. Though some people complain about the imposition of serving on a jury, many find that their service gives them…

This publication examines ways to teach about law in the liberal arts. This issue features a dialogue among eight social science, humanities, policy, and legal scholars, in which they discuss a wide range of viewpoints on federalism. The conversation traverses historical perspectives on federal-state relations, changes in selected public policy…