×
<< BACK TO THE TEACH HUB

Trial Court (Simulation)

Lesson Plan

Students participate in a scripted fictional trial about an alleged breach of contract between the buyer of a car, Blair Bayer, and the seller of the car, Skylar Cellar. Students learn the vocabulary and process of small claims court and have the chance to play plaintiff, defendant, judge, and jury. This lesson and simulation are complete with witness statements, evidence, a trial script, and jury instructions.

But wait there's more! Test students' knowledge of lesson vocabulary with our Kahoot! in English or in Spanish after students complete this lesson.

Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!

Pedagogy Tags

Teacher Resources

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

Trial Court Simulation - 1
Trial Court Simulation - 2
Trial Court Simulation - 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
  • Lesson Plan

    Double Take: The Dual Court System

    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. But wait, there's more! Reinforce key concepts using our Kahoot!Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
    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

See how it all fits together!

View Scope and Sequence