Courts in the Community Lesson Plans
The following are a series of lesson plans developed in conjunction with the Colorado Supreme Court and Colorado Court of Appeals "Courts in the Community", program. Courts in the Community is an educational outreach program that was started by the Colorado Supreme Court on Law Day in 1986. The program gives high school students hands-on experience in how the Colorado judicial system works and illustrates how disputes are resolved in a democratic society. The courts travel to high schools in Colorado each year to hear two oral arguments at each location.
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The following lesson plans cover a variety of topics introducing high school students to multiple aspects of the Colorado judicial system. Each is complete with a personalized introduction on the topic by a current Supreme Court Justice. The plans include components such as background information for the teacher and classroom activities.
Courts in the Community Lesson Plans
Rule of Law
Students will be able to identify key elements of the rule of law and the role it plays in our judicial system
What's the Big Idea
Students will be able to define the U.S. Constitution’s core concepts, how the U.S. Constitution has changed over time to include more groups of people and how the Colorado Constitution differs from the U.S. Constitution.
History of the Colorado Courts
Understand what happens to a case when it leaves the trial courts. Activities: Teacher lecture (background information and lecture outline provided), class participation activity. Outcomes: Students understand the appellate process and how a case is appealed.
Impact of Judicial Review
Students will be able to identify how court decisions impact the law and individuals and will be able to apply the concept of judicial review.
Becoming a Colorado State Judge
Students will be able to describe how judges become judges, what criteria qualifies them for the job and what attributes they must have to retain their positions.
How the Colorado Courts Work (Court of Appeals)
Students will be able to explain the structure of the Colorado judicial branch, the types of cases that different courts handle to deepen their understanding of state government and how cases are appealed.
How the Colorado Courts Work (Supreme Court)
Students will be able to explain the structure of the Colorado judicial branch, the types of cases that different courts handle to deepen their understanding of state government and how cases are appealed.
You Be the Judge
Students will be able to describe the appellate process and how a case is appealed. Students will be able to identify what it means to analyze court cases using the standards of fairness and objectivity and describe the process for considering relevant issues and facts presented in court cases.
Students will be able to describe the jury selection process in Colorado, and the rights and responsibilities of individuals who are summoned to jury duty.