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)

Court Related Lessons:

• Freedom of Expression: The First Amendment
• Freedom of Religion: The First Amendment
• Is Your Speech Free?: The First Amendment
• Separation of Powers and the Power Grab Game
• The Trial of Abraham Lincoln: The Separation of Power
• You Just Don’t Fit Our Image: The First Amendment
   

Other Civics Lessons:

• Breaking Up with the British: The Declaration of Independence
• Design and Empathy in the Constitution: The Declaration of Independence
• Personality and Competency Tests: The Bill of Rights
• Where’s The Crisis?—The Constitution Settles the Question
• Who Owns It?— Property Rights Through a Study of Water 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

• Grade 10
• Grade 11
• Grade 12

Literature Recommendations

• Book suggestions for civics-themed  lessons

Free Programs with the Courts

• California Supreme Court - Link to special session page
• Judges in the Classroom
• Youth Courts/Peer Courts

Images

• 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

• iCivics
• Courts in the Classroom
• Fact Check.org

Planning for College

• Collegechoice.net—Best Online Colleges and Universities
• AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org—Guide on costs of applying to college; various methods by which students can obtain college application fee waivers.

Publications & Articles

• Kids and the Law: An A-Z Guide for Parents
• TheBestSchools.org—Guide to African American Studies
• When you Become 18; A Survival Guide for Teenagers
• Justice Files  

  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
  • Center for Civic Education Civic and citizenship education, law-related education, and international exchange programs resources
  • 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
  • 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
  • Literacy & the Law Resources designed to engage you K-12 students in civics, language arts, and visual performing arts.
  • San Jose Community College Community college classes on the judicial branch and court administration
  • Street Law Resources to help educators teach law, democracy, and human rights
  • US Courts Educational resources about the federal judicial system