Teacher Handbook

The Court Tour and JLC exhibit resources are largely geared toward a Middle School audience.

Fairfax Law Foundation Tour Resources: 

View the Court Tour Teacher Handbook on the Fairfax Law Foundation website. 

Tour Handbook includes: 

  • Court Tour instructions
  • Classroom activities
  • Mock trial information 
  • & more

Online Exhibit Guide: 

  • Objectives
    • The Judiciary Exhibit is Inspired by President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address this exhibit will cover the personnel, structure, and types of cases of the judiciary. 
      • SOLs: CE.2b, CE.1e, CE.5a, CE.5b; CE.7; CE.14h
      • Objective 1: Educate viewers on the workings and professions of the court and the civic obligation of jury service. e.g., judges, clerks, sheriffs, interpreters, court reporters, jurors, etc.
      • Objective 2: Explain how elected branches of government and the will of the people combine to create court systems. Highlight U.S. Constitution Article III, the VA Constitution Article VI, the basis for the creation of lower courts, and the structure of Virginia’s and the federal judiciary.
      • Objective 3: Highlight the role that courts play in resolving conflicts in our communities. Highlight the types of courts and the matters that come before the courts.
    • Civil Rights Exhibits:
      • SOLs: CE.A; CE.1e; CE.5b; CE.5c; CE.5d CE.6b; CE.6c; CE.9e;CE.10a; USII.8
      • Objective 1: Viewers will learn that cases with broader social implications usually begin as a conflict at the trial level among litigants who come to court to seek relief from their situation.
      • Objective 2: Viewers will learn that while the relief sought may not be obtained at the trial level, litigants have multiple levels within the judiciary to seek relief.
      • Objective 3: Viewers will learn about the importance of citizen juries in our system of governance and how the composition of juries has changed with the advancement of civil rights.
  • Have questions about legal terms?
    • Check the bottom of each page or check out the Glossary.
  • Don't have a lot of time? Read the summary page of each exhibit. It gives you the main facts on each case including who was involved and what happened.
  • Have more time? 
    • Read the story that follows each case summary: 
    • Read the case files
    • Please note: Some primary sources regarding historic court cases may contain inappropriate and harmful language. Digital scans of original documents here have not been censored since changing or removing the content would alter the historical record and one’s understanding of it. Such material does not reflect the JLC's viewpoint but rather demonstrates the social attitudes and circumstances of the period or place in which it was created. Comments and questions regarding this can be provided by submitting feedback.

 

External Resources 

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