Greatest Hits: Exemplary Lessons in Civic and Law-Related Education Teaching resources and pictures from the Dec. 4th Educating for Citizenship Conference. Web-based resources for middle school students from Justice Sandra Day O'Connor: www. ourcourts.org   Lessons on the principles of democracy developed for 2 CELD international projects (Civitas, DID) • Lesson Agenda • Principles of Democracy Handout • Amazing Race Cards • Amazing Race Handouts • Race Results   Civitas Partnership 3 Lessons developed with our Czech Partners • Signposts of Democracy Lesson • Analyzing Current Issues about Democracy • Simulation: Czech Political Parties and Coalition Building Lessons and Resources for Constitution Day CELD Staff introduces Shiver, Gobble and Snore to elementary students...a lesson on Constitution Day. • All Grade Levels –Observing Constitution Day with Literacy Activities • Elementary and Middle School – Exploring the Purposes of Government: A Lesson on the Preamble • Middle School – Our Evolving Constitution: The Road to Citizenship • High School –Free Expression in Wartime: A Controversial Constitutional Issue Special Lessons for commemorating the Lincoln Bicentennial: • Upper Elementary and Middle School Students (developed by CELD) • High School Students (developed by the Center for Civic Education)   Discussing Controversial Issues: Lessons from Deliberating in a Democracy Project. Click on lessons and resources. DID is an International initiative designed to improve student understanding of democratic principles and civic deliberation skills. In a two-day workshop in June 2008, CELD and 15 middle and high school teachers explored how teaching about the election can focus on controversial issues. As part of the workshop, CELD staff developed four lesson plans; the lessons were revised based on input from teachers participating in the workshop. • Immigration in 2008: Drafting a Position Statement (a focus on the Colorado Senate race) • A Presidential Debate on Immigration • A Town Meeting on Health Care • Talking about Race: A Class Discussion The election of 2000 marked the third time since the Civil War that the presidential candidate who won the popular vote did not win the electoral vote and therefore did not become President. Despite the discussion prompted by this controversial election, many citizens still do not fully understand how the electoral college functions. This three-part lesson from the Constitutional Rights Foundation helps students understand how the electoral college works and why the Founders included this structure in the Constitution, involves them in analyzing data from the past four Presidential elections, and engages them in a simulated commission considering reforms of the electoral college. SpongeBob Roundpants: Mock Trial for Elementary Students Grades 4-6 mock trial developed by members of the Colorado Bar Association. See also "SpongeBob tries to square things at school event," Pueblo Chieftain, April 21, 2007.   Resources on Colorado's Initiative Process Teacher Resources developed by CELD include: "Too Much Democracy....or Not Enough?"; 2006 Opinion Ballot; Pro and Con Arguments on Colorado Amendment 40. Colorado Courts in the Community Lesson Plans 15 lesson plans from the Colorado Judicial Branch introducing high school students to aspects of the Colorado judicial system. The plans include background information, outlines, transparency masters, classroom work sheets, homework assignments and classroom activities.   The Pledge of Allegiance: A Teachable Moment Legislative and judicial actions in Colorado regarding a law requiring recitation of the Pledge in Colorado schools provided teachable moments for engaging students in thoughtful lessons. CELD compiled a special website of resources and lesson ideas on the Pledge of Allegiance.   The American Jury: Bulwark of Democracy Online resource guide for teachers, students and citizens on the jury system; features lessons developed by the Constitutional Rights Foundation-Chicago Developing Analogies: Frankenstein and the Framers In this interdisciplinary middle school lesson, students use the story of the Frankenstein monster to consider analogies between Dr. Frankenstein attempting to form a living being from inanimate matter and the framers of the Constitution and their efforts to create a strong national government that won't overpower state governments. Note: The links on this page lead to other web sites that do not necessarily reflect the views of the Center for Education in Law and Democracy nor does CELD guarantee the accuracy or age-appropriateness of information presented on other sites.