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

• 3rd Grade

• 4th Grade

• 5th Grade

• High School

Interpreting the Law (77KB PDF)
Lesson plans for teaching elementary students about the judicial branch's role of interpreting the law.

A Visit to District Court (208KB PDF)
A resource for planning a field trip to your local district court.

Oral Arguments in the Michigan Supreme Court
A video resource and companion classroom discussion guide that examines the role of oral arguments in the appellate process of the Michigan Supreme Court using the civil case Wayne County v Hathcock as a case study. The video resource is available in DVD or VHS format. (Middle school-high school).

• Request Form (169KB PDF)

• Discussion Guide (163KB PDF)

Michigan Supreme Court Virtual Court
Online video of courtroom proceedings hosted by the State Bar of Michigan.

• Student Discussion Guide for Woodman v KERA, argued 10/29/2009. (44KB 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

Ideas for Celebrating Constitution Day, September 17 (46KB PDF)

Separation of Powers (1.1MB PDF)

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 (105KB 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.

• Learning Center, The Sweet Case, a mock trial based on a case from Detroit in the 1920s. (High School)

• Learning Center, People v Jack Beanstalk (Elementary–Middle School)
  A mock trial play written by Judge Thomas Eveland, 56th Circuit Court, Charlotte, Michigan

• American Bar Association, Mock Trials (Elementary–High School)

• Constitutional Rights Foundation, Mock Trial Resources (Elementary–High School)

• Streetlaw, Mock Trials (High School)

Learning Center/Lansing Teen Court, Teen Court Simulation (webcast)

• Teacher Resources (483KB PDF)

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

• 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)

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

• Learning Center, Careers in the Law and Legal Studies (204KB 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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