Notes that controversial issues should be a part of the social studies curriculum. Defines different types of statements that occur in classroom discussions about controversial issues: attitudinal, analytical, valuative, or metaphysical. Urges teachers to be aware of the tenor of students' comments. Presents two legal process models as possible…

Analyzes data collected in Texas from the first decade of cases sentenced to death after the Furman v. Georgia decision in order to determine any tendency toward being race-linked or victim-based. Found that cases involving White victims more often precipitate the death penalty than those involving Black or Hispanic victims. (KO)

Provides an example of a case study brief that pinpoints the major elements of a case, including title, facts, issues, arguments, reasoning and decision. Includes suggestions for utilizing the briefs in the classroom and sources for suitable cases. (LS)

Presents seven lesson plans for secondary school students. Titles include "Civil Rights in the 19th and 20th Centuries"; "Tyranny of the Majority"; "Equality Under Law"; "Voting Rights: Key to Equal Rights?"; "Hispanics! Immigration! Reform?"; "Unincorporation"; and "Indians and the…

Describes Judges in the Classroom (JITC) that is a statewide program administered by the Washington State Office of the Administrator for the Courts. Explains that the program brings teachers and judges together to promote better understanding of the law and judiciary. Offers contact information for those interested in JITC. (CMK)

Offers a collection of resources with accompanying descriptions for teaching about the First Amendment and other related issues. Includes books, pamphlets, curriculums and lesson plans, mock trials, periodicals, posters, software, videotapes, and websites that are applicable for elementary through secondary students. (CMK)

Provides information answering the complaint that individuals rely too much on litigation. Notes that, although notorious and suspect tort cases garner much of the public's attention, they make up less than 6% of the courts' work. Most litigation involves child custody, small claims, and property cases. (MJP)

Presents a word and number puzzle designed to familiarize students with law terms and their definitions. The puzzle consists of definitions followed by a sequence of numbers. The law term fitting the definition can be revealed by applying a number-letter key that is provided. Suitable for copying as a handout. (MJP)

This book concentrates on the functions and structure of state government and defines the constitutional responsibilities assigned to each of the three branches of North Dakota government. The media and special interest groups, both major influences affecting government policy, are also discussed. This book, designed for grades 8 through 12,…

The focus of this guide is on primary and secondary education law, both public and private. The guide is designed to assist the inexperienced education legal researcher through an efficient research process, making use of the variety of legal resources available in today's law libraries. The guide's introduction offers a brief overview of…

This document focuses on cases brought by Minnesotans to the U.S. Supreme Court. The five lessons featured are designed to provide secondary classroom teachers with material needed to teach each unit. Lessons cover Supreme Court proceedings, free press issues, freedom of religion, abortion rights, and privilege against self-incrimination.…

This instructor's guide assists secondary social studies educators in making effective use of the five-part video series, "That Delicate Balance II: Our Bill of Rights." In the tradition of "The Constitution: That Delicate Balance," the series introduces students to the Bill of Rights and the controversies that have arisen over…

Designed to help students understand the historical context of the primary and secondary materials by and about the framers of the United States Constitution presented in "Letters of Liberty," this teacher's guide provides directed discussions and activities for evaluating these materials. The guide also is intended to help students gain…

Asserting that children should be educated to thoughts and visions that extend beyond self-interest to the broader public good, this North Carolina handbook provides guidelines and curricular approaches for implementing successful citizenship and character education programs. The philosophical underpinning of the recommendations is that these…

This book provides a reflective analysis of the effort since 1991 of a group of Polish and U.S. educators to develop civic education programs for schools and teachers in Poland. The book contains 13 chapters and three appendices. Chapters include: (1) "Principles of Democracy for the Education of Citizens in Former Communist Countries of…