Assembly Kids' Stuff - Your Idea Becomes a Law

http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset16text.asp

Description: In California, anyone of any age may suggest an idea for a new state law. Maybe your ideas could make good state laws. Play this game to design your own bill and watch it become law. Standards 3.4.4, 3.4.5, and 4.5.2, 4.5.3, 4.4.4, and 4.4.5

Author: California Stae Assembly

Lesson ID: 103

Bears' House Vandalized, Witnesses say Blonde Girl Spotted Fleeing from the Scene!

http://www.kidzone.ws/plans/view.asp?i=60

Description: Using the story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" students create a newspaper story about a crime. Children learn and apply the 5 W's + 1 H (Who, What, When, Where, Why and How) used in writing and reporting a news story. The Goldilocks story helps students understand how newspapers are involved in informing the community about rules and laws and consequences for their violation. Standard 3.4.1

Author: Kidzone

Lesson ID: 1343

Choosing an Impartial Jury

http://www.abanet.org/publiced/lawday/schools/lessons/k6_choosingjury.html

Description: In this lesson students gain some understanding of the challenges faced in selecting a fair and impartial jury. For the trial of Goldilocks in "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," older students select jurors from a list and discuss why they selected the people they did. Younger students work orally from information about each potential juror and decide who would be best. Standard 2.3.1 and 3.4.2

Author: American Bar Association

Lesson ID: 1322

Citizenship and Voting in America

http://www.history.org/History/teaching/enewsletter/volume4/september05/teachstrategy.cfm

Description: This Colonial Williamsburg lesson leads students to examine the development of the concept of "citizen" in American history from the 18th century to the present. Students look at the evolution of voting rights from 1699 to 1993 and how the constitution has changed to include these new voters. Standards 3.4.2, 5.7.3 and 5.7.4

Author: Dee Albrinck and Ted Green

Lesson ID: 1342

How Does Government Affect Me?

http://pbskids.org/democracy/mygovt/index.html

Description: In its simplest form, a government determines the way in which a country, state, county, township, city, or village is run. At every level, governments make laws that citizens must obey and create policies about everything connected with daily life. Click your way around this virtual town and see how governments at various levels affect how the town is run. Standards 2.3.1, 3.4.4, and 4.5.3

Author: Democracy Project, PBS By the People

Lesson ID: 1546

Picture Books and the Bill of Rights

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/education/ForEducators/LessonPlans/BillofRights/5489.shtml

Description: Acquaint students with sections of the Bill of Rights through the use of picture books. Explain some of the basic freedoms and rights that Americans have, which are outlined in the Bill of Rights. Read How Uncle Murray Saved the Seder, Look for Daniela, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, etc. Role play the story, concentrating on one freedom or right. Make up "What If" questions about the story, concerning the freedoms being discussed. Write a letter or make an imaginary phone call to the main character telling him/her about his/her rights that are guaranteed for all Americans. Standard 3.4.1 and 4.5.1

Author: Theresa Dinius, National Constitution Center

Lesson ID: 819

Taking a Stand

http://www.teachersdomain.org/resources/osi04/soc/ush/civil/lp_stand/index.html

Description: Students begin by exploring the purpose of rules and laws in society, as well as some of the basic tenets of the Constitution that address equal rights for all citizens. Next, they examine historical examples of segregation and consider its impact. Finally, students thinking of the role of citizens, examine how civil rights activists responded to segregation laws and how the law changed. Standards 3.4.2, 3.4.6, and 5.7.5 *To access the lesson, registration to the Teachers' Domain site is required but free.

Author: Teachers' Domain

Lesson ID: 1572

Why Do We Need Authority?

http://ftpciviced.org/lessons/download.php?file=byrd1to2scrn.pdf

Description: Learn why authority in society is important and some uses of authority. Examine a situation in which there is no effective authority and identify problems which the lack of authority creates. Note: This lesson will take teacher support but the concept is accessible and interesting to young students. Standards 2.3.0, 2.3.2, and 3.4.1

Author: Foundations of Democracy, Center for Civic Education

Lesson ID: 1263