Big
Idea
|
Federalism:
The border between the federal and state governments
in carrying out the laws is not always clear.
|
Essential
Question
|
Who
is responsible for enforcing environmental legislation? |
Learning
Cycle
|
Lesson
Title & Description
|
Objective
Students will:
|
Class
period & week
|
Engage
|
"Can
We Breathe Easier?”
Students will debate the pros and cons of federalism and then
analyze the Clean Air Act to ascertain the role of the states
and federal government in enforcing it.
|
1. List
the exclusive and shared powers of the state and national
governments.
2. State
the specific role of the national and state governments
in enforcing environmental legislation.
|
|
Explore/Explain
|
“What’s
in the Water? Students will apply the Clean Water Act as
an example of Federalism to understand how the Federal
and State Governments enforce and implement laws.
|
1. List
the specific powers and duties the state, federal and local
governments have in enforcing water quality standards.
2. Discuss
how private citizens can help ensure that all levels
of government are enforcing the law.
|
1
period-
week 1
|
Apply
|
"State
Report Card”
Students will evaluate their state on the effectiveness of
the government in sustaining a healthy environment by looking
at four issues: water and air quality, toxic waste and level
of radiation.
|
1. Identify
and list the environmental health concerns for their
state regarding; water and air quality, level of toxic
waste and radiation in their state.
2. Discuss
the responsibility of the state and federal government
for sustaining a
healthy environment by enforcing environmental
standards.
|
|
Project
|
|
|
|
Big
Idea
|
The
Judicial Branch: How the justice system interprets the
laws and settles legal disputes.
|
Essential
Question
|
How
does our legal system work? |
Learning
Cycle
|
Lesson
Title & Description
|
Objective
Students will:
|
Class
period & week
|
Engage
|
“It’s
All About Justice?” Students will identify an environmental
concern and explore the justice system by participating
in a treasure hunt, then discuss how they could use the
legal system to bring about change.
|
1. Discuss
the meaning of federal and state jurisdiction.
2. Compare
civil and criminal cases.
3. Identify
the major characteristics and powers federal judges.
|
|
Explore/Explain
|
“Inside
the courtroom”
Students will look at an example of a class action lawsuit
in order to understand how it compares to a civil suit filed
by an individual. They will also compare civil and criminal
cases by analyzing examples of both.
|
1. Explain
the difference between a class action and civil law suit.
2. Compare
criminal law and civil law.
3. Explain
the steps in the criminal process
|
3
periods-
week 2
|
Apply
|
“The
Supremes”
Students will explore the role of the Supreme
Court in the justice system by looking at actual cases
that have been ruled on by the Supreme Court. They will
also look at the route that cases take in order to reach
the Supreme Court and then appreciate the impact that Supreme
Court decisions have on their rights and the laws passed
by congress.
|
1. List
the steps that cases go through to get to the Supreme
Court.
2. Discuss
how Supreme Court decisions impact their rights.
|
|
Project
|
|
|
|
Big
Idea
|
Environmental
Justice: The courts are often called on to settle disputes
between the federal and/or state government and members
of the private sector.
|
Essential
Question
|
What
happens when Federal agencies are ineffective in protecting
the citizens from the harmful effects of pollution? |
Learning
Cycle
|
Lesson
Title & Description
|
Objective
Students will:
|
Class
period & week
|
Engage
|
“I
Won’t Live in a Toxic World”
Students will look at four separate environmental health issues
using a fish-bowl technique. They will discuss the role of
government in maintaining a pollution-free environment as well
as the role citizens. This lesson is an introduction to the
concept that litigation is sometimes necessary when the government
is unable or unwilling to employ sound environmental practices.
|
1. Discuss
some of the major environmental issues currently facing
the country.
2. Evaluate
the government’s role in maintaining
a healthy environment.
3. Describe
the opportunities citizens have to ensure that clean
environmental practices are
followed.
|
|
Explore
|
“Toxic
Torts”
Introduce the concept of toxic torts and
the role courts play in the enforcement of environmental
laws.
|
1. Define;
negligence, nuisance, tort and toxic tort.
2. Discuss
how courts settle disputes involving environmental laws
|
2
periods-
week 4
|
Explain
|
“A
Civil Action”
Students will analyze segments from
the movie “Civil Action” to understand the
civil procedure and the impact that civil suits have on
environmental health.
|
1. Describe
what the impact of Superfund has on toxic waste removal.
2. List
the steps in a class action lawsuit.
3. Discuss
the rationale for joining in a class action lawsuit for
deterring environmental
pollution.
|
|
Apply
|
“Moot
Court Preparation” Students will investigate various
appellate cases in order to prepare for a moot court in order
to understand the appeals process. |
1. Explain
the purpose of the appeals process.
2. Identify
and list issues that have been heard by the twelve U.S.
Circuit Courts of
Appeals. |
4-5
periods-
week 6 |
Project |
“Moot
Court”
Students will either take on the role of a defense lawyer for
a corporation or a lawyer for the plaintiff who is filing a
civil suit due to an environmental health issue. Students will
use written briefs to prepare oral arguments before a judge. |
1. Describe
the appellate process.
2. Analyze
persuasive arguments used in court cases |
9
periods |
