×
<< BACK TO THE TEACH HUB

Double Take: The Dual Court System

Lesson Plan

Does your state court system feel oddly similar to our federal one? Chances are it does, but there may still be some differences. In this lesson, students learn how our country came to have a dual court system and explore how the state and federal levels of that system work. Students explore jurisdiction, trial and appellate courts, and how judges are selected. Follow this lesson by assigning The Courts in a Nutshell WebQuest to help students learn more about the court system in their state.

But wait, there's more! Reinforce key concepts using our Kahoot!

iCivics en español! Student and class materials for this lesson are available in Spanish.

 

Pedagogy Tags

Teacher Resources

Get access to lesson plans, teacher guides, student handouts, and other teaching materials.

Double Take: The Dual Court System - 1
Double Take: The Dual Court System - 2
Double Take: The Dual Court System - 3

Related Resources

  • Lesson Plan

    Appellate Courts: Let's Take It Up

    Students learn the purpose of appellate-level courts and how those courts operate differently from the trial courts most people are familiar with from watching television. By following the case of a real middle school girl who was strip searched at school, students find out what happens when someone takes a case all the way to the Supreme Court. Through this case, students learn about the structure of the federal court system and the way appellate courts decide cases.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
    View
  • Game

    Argument Wars

    Argue real Supreme Court cases, and put your lawyering skills to the test.
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Argument Wars Extension Pack

    Make your students’ game play more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically for Argument Wars. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts. That means deeper learning for students, and best practices around game-centered learning for you!  
    View kami
  • Game

    Branches of Power

    Learn to control all three branches of the U.S. government!
    View
  • Game

    Court Quest

    Navigate our court system and guide citizens to the right place.
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Court Quest Extension Pack

    Make your students’ game play more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically for Court Quest. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts. That means deeper learning for students, and best practices around game-centered learning for you!  This Extension Pack uses Google Slides and is designed for use with projectors or interactive whiteboards. 
    View kami
  • WebQuest

    In the Courts

    Our Judicial Branch has a big job! Do you think you have what it takes to be a judge and get the job done? 
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Interpreting the Constitution

    Students learn that you can't take constitutional language at face value. Those phrases we read in the Bill of Rights, such as "cruel and unusual punishment" or being a "witness" against yourself, have specialized meaning based on years of interpretation by the Supreme Court.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    James Bond in a Honda: Trial Simulation Lesson

    Students participate in a scripted fictional trial based on a real case in which the producers of James Bond films sued Honda for creating an ad that looked way too much like a James Bond movie. Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Judges: Playing Fair

    This mini-lesson takes a look at the role of fair and impartial courts in American life. Students learn about how judges are selected and held accountable. It also looks at how judges focus on the facts in order to keep things fair. This resource is accompanied by a short video from the Informed Voters Project.  Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
    View kami

See how it all fits together!

View Scope and Sequence