Curriculum Resources
(Michigan Court System, Federal Court System, Constitution, Simulations, Careers)
Educational Resources >>>

Learning Center Curriculum Connections
Visiting the Learning Center, when paired with preparatory and follow-up activities, can help students fulfill MEAP Content Standards and Benchmarks for Social Studies.

A Visit to District Court (305KB PDF)
A resource for planning a field trip to your local district court.

• Request Form (169KB PDF)
• Discussion Guide (227KB PDF)

Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society

• Lesson Plans for Middle and High School

• Verdict of History: Looking at the Michigan Supreme Court Through Its Significant Cases

American Bar Association, Division for Public Education, Teachers & Students

U.S. Courts, Courts to Classrooms

CORE DEMOCRATIC VALUES

Teacher resource guide developed by the Learning Center for Core Democratic Values tours (3rd-6th grades), linking our values with decisions made by the courts.

• Core Democratic Values Resource Guide (278KB PDF)

• Rule of Law Curriculum Guide (49KB PDF)

• Rule of Law Posters (59KB PDF)

MOCK TRIALS
Jury trials in which evidence is presented and a verdict is reached based upon the facts.

• American Bar Association, Mock Trials (Elementary–High School )
• Constitutional Rights Foundation, Mock Trial Resources (Elementary–High School )
• Streetlaw, Mock Trials (High School)

VOIR DIRE SIMULATIONS
Jury Selection.

• American Bar Association, Voir Dire Simulation (Middle–High School )

MOOT COURTS
Simulations of appellate court arguments.

• Learning Center, People v Hudson (High School)
  Materials are written as if the case was before the Michigan Supreme Court. They are based on a real case involving search and seizure and the exclusionary rule.

  • Teacher Guide (657 KB PDF)

  • Appellant Brief (460 KB PDF)

  • Appellee Brief (359 KB PDF)

• Learning Center, MCWC v Nestle (High School)
  Materials are written as if the case was before the Michigan Supreme Court. The case is based on a real case involving water rights.

  • Teacher Guide (1.1MB PDF)

  • Optional Worksheets (97KB PDF)

  • Appellant Brief (219KB PDF)

  • Appellee Brief (181KB PDF)

  • Amicus Brief for Plaintiff (71KB PDF)

  • Amicus Brief for Defendant (61KB PDF)

• Landmark Cases, Instructions for Moot Court (High School)

• U.S. Courts, Supreme Court Simulation (High School)

• Streetlaw, Classroom Guide to Mock Trials and Moot Courts (High School)

SMALL CLAIMS COURT SIMULATIONS
Court proceedings in which litigants represent themselves.

• Learning Center, Small Claims Court (Later Elementary—High School; 208KB PDF)

• Learning Center, Careers in the Law and Legal Studies (651KB PDF)
  Lessons for career planning tied to the Michigan Career Pathways. (Middle School)

• Learning Center, Career Planning and Skills: Dress Codes and Professional Dress (953KB PDF). Cross-curricular lessons discussing dress expectations in school and the professional world.

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