DISTRIBUTE one “Judicial Branch in a Flash!” reading page to each student.

ANTICIPATE with a quick poll of the class, asking how many students have heard the following words:  trial, judge, jury, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, remand or judicial review. 

EXPLAIN that today will be an overview of the judicial system, and that they will learn all these terms and more.    

READ the “Judicial Branch in a Flash!” reading page together with the class, pausing to explain as necessary.  

CHECK for understanding by using the true/false activity found on the teacher’s Active Participation Guide. Students may answer by calling “true” or “false” as a chorus, or by showing you thumbs-up or thumbs-down.  

DISTRIBUTE the “Judicial Branch in a Flash!” review worksheet. It should have three sections on one side and the crossword puzzle on the other side. Circulate to answer questions as necessary. Students should use the reading page as a reference sheet.

ASSIGN the “Judicial Branch in a Flash!” review worksheet and the crossword puzzle on the back.    

CLOSE by quizzing the class with the A/B activity found on the teacher’s Active Participation Guide. Read the incomplete statement, then give the class the two answer choices. The class may answer by calling “A” or “B” as a chorus, or by saying the correct answer as a chorus.  

** Optional Extra Activity **

PLAY the Judicial Branch Bingo game with the class. See the Judicial Branch Bingo directions for how to play the game.