Background

Our easy-to-use curriculum is designed to help high school students learn about the Colorado judicial system in preparation for a Courts in the Community educational visit or in connection with a civics or government unit. Each lesson plan meets Colorado Social Studies Standards (Civics) and includes inquiry questions, lesson background, lecture outlines, readings, interactive activities and optional extension opportunities. We worked with a team of Colorado high school social studies teachers during summer 2025 to revise the curriculum, which is now available online. 

Questions? Contact Susan Postema Scheeres, Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator. 

Full Curriculum

In addition to lessons, our curriculum includes background about the Courts in the Community program, how to use the curriculum, a table of contents to easily find each lesson, Tips for Diverse Learners and additional educational resources.

The lessons are divided into two parts:

• Part One: These lessons provide background about the rule of law, the U.S. and Colorado constitutions, history of the Colorado courts, judicial review and what it takes to become a state judge. Feel free to use the content or activities in conjunction with your own curriculum.
• Part Two: These lessons are specifically designed to prepare students to watch Oral Arguments as part of a Courts in the Community visit.

Supreme Court lesson plans: Download to prepare students for a Supreme Court visit.

Court of Appeals lesson plans: Download to prepare students for a Court of Appeals visit.

Individual Lesson Plans 

Rule of Law
Students will be able to identify key elements of the rule of law and the role it plays in our judicial system. 

What's the Big Idea? (*This can also be used in conjunction with Constitution Day on Sept. 17.)
Students will be able to define the U.S. Constitution’s core concepts, how the U.S. Constitution has changed over time to include more groups of people and how the Colorado Constitution differs from the U.S. Constitution. 

History of the Colorado Courts
Students will be able to explain the role of courts in a democratic society, the history of the Colorado courts and how those courts have evolved over time.

Impact of Judicial Review
Students will be able to identify how court decisions impact the law and individuals and will be able to apply the concept of judicial review. 

Becoming a Colorado State Judge
Students will be able to describe how judges become judges, what criteria qualifies them for the job and what attributes they must have to retain their positions. 

How the Colorado Courts Work (Court of Appeals related activities)
Students will be able to explain the structure of the Colorado judicial branch, the types of cases that different courts handle to deepen their understanding of state government and how cases are appealed.

How the Colorado Courts Work (Supreme Court related activities)
Students will be able to explain the structure of the Colorado judicial branch, the types of cases that different courts handle to deepen their understanding of state government and how cases are appealed.

You Be the Judge

• Students will be able to describe the appellate process and how a case is appealed. 
• Students will be able to identify what it means to analyze court cases using the standards of fairness and objectivity and describe the process for considering relevant issues and facts presented in court cases.

Diving into Court of Appeals Cases
Students will be able to identify the facts, arguments and legal issues in cases to be heard at Oral Arguments at their high school as part of Courts in the Community.

Diving into Supreme Court Cases
Students will be able to identify the facts, arguments and legal issues in cases to be heard at Oral Arguments at their high school as part of Courts in the Community.

What to Expect at Court of Appeals Oral Arguments

• Students will be able to describe appropriate behavior in a courtroom in preparation for hearing Oral Arguments at their school.
• Students will be able to identify key elements of Oral Arguments in preparation for hearing Oral Arguments.

What to Expect at Supreme Court Oral Arguments

• Students will be able to describe appropriate behavior in a courtroom in preparation for hearing Oral Arguments at their school.
• Students will be able to identify key elements of Oral Arguments in preparation for hearing Oral Arguments.

The Colorado Jury System
Students will be able to describe the jury selection process in Colorado, and the rights and responsibilities of individuals who are summoned to jury duty.