- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Civics Education
- Collaborative Justice Courts
- Community Outreach
- Court Innovations—Kleps Awards
- Court Interpreters Program (CIP)
- Criminal Justice Programs
- Domestic Violence
- Equal Access
- Facilities
- For Families and Children
- Judicial Administration Fellowships
- JusticeCorps
- Tribal/State Programs
Civics QuickLinks
High School Resources
Lesson Plans
We invite you to use these lessons, developed by California K-12 teachers. The teachers participated in a five day professional development institute focused on civic education and the courts. Co -sponsored by the Administrative Office of the Courts and Cal State San Marcos, participants created and field tested engaging civics lessons that meet California History-Social Science Content Standards and Common Core State Standards.
High School (9-12)
- Breaking Up with the British: The Declaration of Independence
- Convince the Supreme Court Justice: The First Amendement
- Design and Empathy in the Constitution: The Declaration of Independence
- Duties of Citizenship: Jury Duty
- Freedom of Expression: The First Amendment
- Freedom of Religion: The First Amendement
- Is Your Speech Free?: The First Amendment
- Personality and Competency Tests: The Bill of Rights
- Separation of Powers and the Power Grab Game
- The Trial of Abraham Lincoln: The Separation of Power
- Where’s The Crisis?—The Constitution Settles the Question
- Who Owns It?— Property Rights Through a Study of Water Rights
- You Just Don’t Fit Our Image: The First Amendment
Links to Content Standards
Key California Civic Related Content Standards at each grade level
California Civic Education Scope and Sequence
Comprehensive civic related content standards, including national content standards, at each grade level with sample classroom applications and sample resources
Literature and Other Resources
Literature Recommendations
Free Programs with the Courts
- California Supreme Court - Link to special session page
- Real DUI Court in the Schools
- Youth Courts/Peer Courts
Images
- A Day in the Courts – Free photos of a courts
- Picturing America – Free high quality images of important works of art connected to themes such as democracy and equality
- Cartoons – Free images of student cartoons, from elementary school through high school, depicting the First Amendment freedoms
Note: Images take a minute to upload.
On-line Games and Resources
Free/Low Cost Publications
Useful Links
- Annenberg Classroom Civic education resources for teachers
- American Bar Association Law Day resources and more from the ABA Division for Public Education
- Bill of Rights Institute
- California Department of Education History-Social Science content standards, curriculum frameworks, and additional resources
- Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools A national coalition of organizations committed to improving the quality and quantity of civic learning
- Center for Civic Education Civic and citizenship education, law-related education, and international exchange programs resources
- CivNet
- C-Span Classroom
- Constitutional Rights Foundation U.S. Constitution curriculum materials, free civic education lesson plans, and newsletters online
- Discovering Justice Programs that prepare students to value the justice system, realize the power of their own voices, and embrace civic responsibility
- Five Freedoms Network
- iCivics Spearheaded by retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, a Web-based education project designed to reinvigorate civics learning inside and outside the classroom
- Law for Kids Educational resources about law designed especially for kids. Complex youth laws are explained in plain English
- San Jose Community College Community college classes on the judicial branch and court administration
- State Bar of California Free legal guides on Kids and the Law, and When You Become 18
- Street Law Resources to help educators teach law, democracy, and human rights
- US Courts Educational resources about the federal judicial system