Topic: American Civics (“the rights and responsibilities of citizenship”) and how the courts and government of the United States work
Format: Website with text and multi-media info & games for kids and resources for teachers
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com
“Only about 1/3 of young people can name the 3 branches of government… Civics is about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship… We decided that Civics needed a makeover. And that’s what ourcourts.org is all about.“ – Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor is determined to bring Civics education into the 21st century! And that’s what her new website is all about. It’s made up of these major sections:
Curriculum Builder with these Foundational Lesson Plans (extensive PDF files):
- State Governments
- Meet the Supreme Court
- Checks and Balances
- The Legislative Branch
- The Executive Branch
- The Judicial Branch
Games
- Do I have a Right?
In this game, students will advise fictional kids about their rights under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights… - Supreme Decision: Freedom of Speech
In this game, students will work for a Justice of the Supreme Court. They will use the First Amendment of the Constitution to help their Justice decide whether a fellow student, Ben, can be suspended from school for wearing his favorite band t-shirt… - Our Courts virtual world…
“in which you play a Guardian of Law, spreading the rule of law to a fictional world.”
Learn About Civics (major sections)
- Talk to the Justice (submit questions and get answers!)
- Meet the Supreme Court
- Civics in Action
- Branches of Gov’t
- State Resources
- Tribal Government
- Links
According to the website, Justice O’Connor and her colleagues intend to nurture and grow this site… So stay tuned! This is just the beginning.
Main URL: http://www.ourcourts.org/
Overview & Introductory Video with Justice O’Connor: http://www.ourcourts.org/about-our-courts
