Civics Today Citizenship, Economics, & You

Chapter 16: Civil and Criminal Law

Web Activity Lesson Plans

Introduction
In this chapter students read about civil and criminal cases. Sometimes these cases reach a trial court where guilt or innocence may be determined. Depending on the jurisdiction, it will be either a state or a federal court. Each state has its own court system. In this activity students will take a closer look at the organization and role of the court system.

Lesson Description
Students will visit a Web site of judicial branch resources for students maintained by the state of Iowa. They will read through the information on different court systems, answer questions, and create a mobile that shows the different levels of the state and federal courts.

1. The student will be able to describe the functions of a trial court.
2. The student will be able to describe the function of an appellate court.
3. The student will be able to create a mobile that shows the different levels of state and federal courts.

1-4. Student answers will vary depending on the specifics of your state’s judicial branch and court system.

5. Student mobiles will vary.