Law Day Resources
The 2023 Law Day resources and lesson guides provide valuable information for teachers on how to plan, organize, and host a successful Law Day event by implementing the 2023 Law Day theme, Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration.
These discussion resources provide lawyers, judges, teachers, and other civic leaders with the resources needed to have an engaging discussion with students or the public about the Law Day theme.
Discussion Resources:
Created by attorneys William Connell and Tamera Rocha
Civics, Civility, and Collaboration in the Courtroom: What Makes a Good Judge?
This lesson introduces young students to what a judge is and what they do in court settings. Then it explores what qualities and skills a judge must possess and use in order to be effective. This discussion may be scaled up or down depending on students’ understanding. To facilitate discussion there are three prompts that may be used in any combination appropriate for students’ understanding.
The First Amendment, Protests, Community Safety, and Civility
During this lesson, students will explore various protests and public rallies and then review Supreme Court cases dealing with protests, civil rights, community safety and the First Amendment. Students then have an option to view a video on the power of protests for civil rights movements.
When most people think of civic advocacy, they tend to picture those people who attend every single community meeting. Or those people you see being interviewed on television by your local newscaster. Or those people you see standing with picket signs in front of your City Hall. While it’s understandable that these are the first images that come to mind, you should be aware that these people are the ones who have dedicated a significant amount of their time and efforts to civil advocacy.
After exploring the procedure to formally amend the Constitution as set out in Article V, students will then work in small groups to learn about three examples of “informal” changes to the Constitution: federal legislation, US Supreme Court cases, and interstate compacts.
Students will discuss individuals who have worked to effect legal change, and what those changes mean for their community, and our society.
Lesson Plans:
Middle School (Grades 7-8)
What Is the Federal System Created by the Constitution?
Adapted from We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
Who Should Get the Job?
Adapted from Foundations of Democracy – Justice
Why Do We Need a Government?
From We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
How Can Citizens Participate?
From We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
We the People: Project Citizen
From Project Citizen
Why Do We Need Authority?
From Foundations of Democracy
What Are the Possible Consequences of Privacy?
From Foundations of Democracy
How Can You Decide among Competing Responsibilities?
From Foundations of Democracy
What Intellectual Tools Are Useful in Making Decisions about Issues of Corrective Justice?
From Foundations of Democracy
High School (Grade 9-12)
How Was the Constitution Used to Organize the New Government?
Adapted from We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution
What Might Be Some Benefits and Costs of the Government Keeping a Secret?
Adapted from Foundations of Democracy, High School, Privacy, Unit 3, Lesson 8, pages 89-90
How Does Government Secure Natural Rights?
From We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution
What Conflicting Opinions Did the Framers Have About the Completed Constitution?
From We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
What Is Meant by Returning to Fundamental Principles?
From We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution
Additional Resources
Strengthening Democracy in America Series
The ten free courses in this series are for all those who have not had an opportunity to study the American political system in depth. Each of the courses is divided into various sections with videos, questions for understanding, and discussion questions. We hope that these courses will be of interest to all Americans who wish to learn more about their system of government and how they can best exercise their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
60-Second Civics DAILY PODCAST
The 60-Second Civics podcast and Daily Civics Quiz provide a quick and easy way for learners of all ages to deepen their knowledge of the American constitutional system. Each episode is accompanied by a brief and entertaining video that explores the fundamentals of American government. Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and more!
The Constitution EXPLAINED
This series of 35 videos was created by the Center for Civic Education in partnership with iCivics and constitutional scholar Linda R. Monk, JD, to explain key aspects of the U.S. Constitution in everyday language and make our nation's founding document accessible to everyone.
Writing and Talking Points for the Law Day Theme