Grade Level:
Middle/High
Overview:
This lesson focuses on the costs and benefits of various judicial selection methods. Students will list characteristics they think essential or valuable to being a good judge, and then see which system of judicial selection – appointment, merit, or election – obtains the highest quality judges. In discussing each method, students will understand the tradeoffs between accountability and independence in judicial selection.
Time needed:
1-2 Class periods
Materials required:
What Makes a Good Judge? Lesson Plan
What Makes a Good Judge? Handout 1
What Makes a Good Judge? Handout 2
What Makes a Good Judge? Handout 3
National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, National Council for the Social Studies: