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Lesson Plan
Where do laws come from? This lesson teaches students about the sources, types, and unique systems of law that exist in the United States. Students learn about sources of law from the Constitution to local ordinances. They also compare and contrast civil and criminal law and peek into the special systems of military and juvenile justice.
Teacher Resources
Get access to lesson plans, teacher guides, student handouts, and other teaching materials.
Resources
- Sources of Law_Teacher Guide.pdf
- Sources of Law_Student Docs.pdf
I find the materials so engaging, relevant, and easy to understand – I now use iCivics as a central resource, and use the textbook as a supplemental tool. The games are invaluable for applying the concepts we learn in class. My seniors LOVE iCivics.
Lynna Landry , AP US History & Government / Economics Teacher and Department Chair, California
Related Resources
Lesson Plan
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Lesson Plan
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Make your students’ game play more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically for Argument Wars. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts. That means deeper learning for students, and best practices around game-centered learning for you!
Lesson Plan
Court Quest Extension Pack
Make your students’ game play more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically forCourt Quest. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts. That means deeper learning for students, and best practices around game-centered learning for you! This Extension Pack uses Google Slidesand is designed for use with projectors or interactive whiteboards.
Lesson Plan
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Does your state court system feel oddly similar to our federal one? Chances are it does, but there may stillbe some differences.In this lesson, students learn how our countrycame to have adual court system and explore how the state and federal levels of that system work.But wait, there's more! Reinforce key concepts using our Kahoot!Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
Lesson Plan
Interpreting the Constitution
Students learn that you can't take constitutional language at face value. Those phrases we read in the Bill of Rights, such as "cruel and unusual punishment" or being a "witness" against yourself, have specialized meaning based on years of interpretation by the Supreme Court.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
Lesson Plan
James Bond in a Honda (Mock Trial)
Students participate in a scripted fictional trial based on a real case in which the producers of James Bond films sued Honda for creating an ad that looked way too much like a James Bond movie. Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
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