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.

Court Related Lessons:

• Balancing Act: The Three Branches 
• Can We All Please Just Get Along?: The Rule of Law
• Graffiti on Trial
• The Great Debate: U.S. Supreme Court Cases
• Where We Fit In: The Judicial Branch

Other Civics Lessons:

• American Heroes
• Articles of Confederation…Well they were trying!
• A "Commemorative" Bill of Rights
• A New Constitution…Your Turn!
• Constitution Day!...We The People: The Thirteen Colonies
• Constitution Hall of Fame
• The Constitution: What It Says and What It Means
• Defining Civic Duty and Participation
• Freedom of Expression
• How Do We Solve Our Problems?: The Three Branches
• National Symbols
• Our Government Today…What A System!
• Out Of Many, One: Our Nation's Symbols
• Planet Fourth Grade is Researching the U.S. Constitution
• The Pledge of Allegiance
• The Power of the Press: The First Amendment
• Protecting our Freedoms: The Bill of Rights
• Public Service Announcement: Civic Responsibility
• The Responsibilities of Local Government
• The Rule of Paradox: The Rule of Law
• Separate But Equal – Is It Black or White?
• The U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights

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

• Kindergarten
• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grade 4
• Grade 5

Literature Recommendations

• Book suggestions for civics-themed  lessons

Mock Trials

Scripted mock trials for elementary students, created by Judge Joan Weber, and Judge Richard G. Cline, Superior Court of San Diego County

• Early Elementary – Mock Trial A
• Early Elementary – Mock Trial B
• Early Elementary – Mock Trial C
• Early Elementary – Mock Trial D
• Grades 4 and 5 – On My Honor (this trial includes a vocabulary list, vocabulary match worksheet, a crossword puzzle, word search, and detailed instructions)
• Grade 5  – Salem Witch Trial Mock Trial
• Grade 4 and 5 – Murder Self Defense Mock Trial

Publications

• What's Happening in Court? – Interactive Version
• What's Happening in Court? – PDF version
• Que Sucede en la Corte? – Version Interactiva
• Que Sucede en la Corte? – PDF version

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 can take up to a minute to upload.

Useful Links

• Center for Civic Education