From creating a mock trial to researching the history of civil rights legislation, there are plenty of interesting and engaging ways to explore the world of law in a school project.
Law is an essential part of our lives, yet many students are unaware of the vast array of topics that can be explored in this field.
To help you get started on your next school law project, here are ten of the best ideas to try today:
1. Create a Mock Trial
This is a great way for students to explore the court system and legal process and can be made into an awesome project that allows them to act out different roles and scenarios.
Start by creating a scenario, and introducing this to the students at the start of the project – this could be anything from a criminal case to a disputed business contract.
Take time to really go into detail, and take your students through each stage of building a case – from the initial research to the selection of witnesses, to arguments in court.
You can then allocate roles and duties to each student, giving them a chance to really learn more about the range of legal roles available – don’t forget that this can include court clerks and ushers, as well as high-powered attorneys and judges. P
ick a jury, and make sure that they have no access to any details or information ahead of the trial – their job is to determine the truth from what they hear in court.
The final stage of the project is to hold the trial itself – transform your classroom into a courtroom with a traditional layout, let the attorney teams present their cases, and ask the juries to decide on a verdict!
This project offers a great chance to explore the legal system, seeing a case through from start to finish, and can be a fun way to learn about law beyond what is so typically shown on TV and in movies.
2. Research a Famous Case
Another great option is to ask your students to research a famous case in legal history. This can be anything from a criminal trial, to a civil rights dispute, to an appeal case – feel free to use a wide range of examples to show your students the breadth that comes with studying law.
Start by giving your students some background information on the chosen case, and then ask them to use this as their starting point for further research.
They will need to find out more about the facts of the case, the parties involved, the legal arguments, and the outcome – all of which can be used to create an interesting project.
Once they have conducted their research, ask your students to present their findings in a way that is appropriate for the chosen case.
This could be anything from a presentation or report, to a poster or multimedia package – don’t be afraid to give them a little freedom and autonomy to be creative when it comes to presenting their findings.
This type of project is great for introducing students to different aspects of law and giving them a chance to really explore a topic in-depth.
3. Analyze Legal Systems Around the World
For those students wanting to look beyond the borders of their own country, this is an excellent choice.
Ask your students to select one or more countries, and research their respective legal systems – from civil law to constitutional law, from criminal justice to international law.
Alternatively, get one step ahead and assign a different country or legal system to each child – this can be a good way to ensure that you don’t end up with twenty of the same project!
Ask students to really go into depth with this; they could look at different laws and statutes, compare the systems to those in their own country, and discuss the differences between them, presenting these to their classmates in a final presentation or demonstration.
This can be a great way to help students understand why laws exist, how they are enforced, and what impact they have on society.
It also gives them an opportunity to think about potential solutions for legal challenges in other countries – a great way to develop critical thinking skills!
4. Analyze a Legal Document
Another great option is to ask your students to analyze a legal document, and this can be a great “solve a mystery” type of task.
The document in question could be anything from a contract or lease, to an insurance policy or business agreement, and this in itself can be a great way to demonstrate the numerous ways in which the law and legal documents form part of our everyday lives.
Start by giving your students some background information on the chosen document, and then ask them to use this as a jumping-off point to solve the mystery of what type of document they have, and the purpose that it serves.
They should look at the different clauses, terms, and conditions of the agreement, and discuss what these mean in practical terms – this can help them to understand the importance of following through on agreements and contracts, and why it is crucial that we ensure that all aspects of a contract are understood before signing.
Once they have conducted their research, ask your students to present their findings in a way that is appropriate for the chosen document – once again, this is a chance to be creative and let them use their imaginations!
5. Create A New Law
Another awesome task to really get students involved in law, and highlight the significance of law in daily life, is to ask them to create their own law. This could be anything from a local law that affects their community, to a new international law – the possibilities are endless!
Start by asking your students to research and discuss existing laws – this will help them to identify potential gaps in current legislation or areas where new laws could be beneficial.
They should also use this as an opportunity to brainstorm ideas for the aim of their new law; do they want to create something that will help protect the environment or something that will ensure greater safety in public spaces?
Once they have identified a suitable topic and aim for the proposed law, ask them to draft the actual legislation – this is an opportunity for students to gain an understanding of legal terminology and wording.
Finally, ask them to present their proposed laws to the class, and debate the merits of their law with their peers – this offers a chance to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
This project can help students understand the complexity of the law, and how important it is for legislation to be in place to ensure that people are protected, and their rights are respected.
6. Research the History of a Law
Have you ever wondered where some of our most famous laws come from?
Researching the history of a law can be an interesting and informative task for your students.
Ask them to pick a specific law, such as the right to vote, or freedom of speech, and find out how it came into existence.
They should consider who proposed the law and why, any challenges that were faced in getting it approved, and any subsequent amendments that were made over time.
Ask students to consider what the law meant for different demographics, and how it has changed over time.
This can be a great opportunity to talk about the importance of laws in protecting people’s rights, and how we should be constantly striving to ensure that these laws are being respected.
This project can be a great way to help your students understand the historical significance of certain laws, as well as their relevance today.
7. Examine a Controversial Law
Controversy is often an important part of the development of laws, and it can be fascinating to explore why certain laws are seen as particularly contentious.
Ask your students to pick a controversial law and look at both sides of the debate – this will help them to gain an understanding of how politics and society can shape legislation, and the implications that this can have on people’s lives.
Your students should consider how the law impacts different demographics, and how their opinions of the law may differ based on their own experiences.
Ask them to research both sides of the argument and present their findings in an essay or presentation – this is a great opportunity for students to develop their critical thinking skills and explore different perspectives on an issue.
8. Analyze a Court Case
One of the most effective ways to learn about law is by analyzing court cases, as this offers an insight into how legal theories are applied in practice.
Ask your students to pick a case and research both sides of the argument – they should consider any relevant precedents that may have been established prior to the case, the final ruling, and any subsequent rulings that have been made since.
They should also consider how their own opinions on the case may differ from those of the court, and why this may be – this is a great opportunity to encourage students to form their own opinions on legal matters and think critically about them.
Once they have completed their research, ask your students to present their findings in an essay or presentation, and discuss their own opinion on the ruling.
This is a great way to get your students thinking about the complexities of law and how it can be applied in different contexts.
Final Thoughts
Law is an important part of any society, and it’s essential that students understand the complexities of law and how it can be applied in different contexts.
Engaging your students in law projects can be a great way to encourage their critical thinking skills and help them develop an understanding of legal terminology.
We hope these 8 best law ideas for school projects will help you get started on creating meaningful legal learning experiences
Hi, my name is Helena Waters and I was a teacher for 40 years before retiring last year.
During my time as a teacher I dedicated the majority of it to making classrooms as fun as possible, with educational parties, fun activities, and low cost entertainment that made the children excited about learning.
I taught children of all ages, from preschoolers to high school students. Now, with the pandemic having uprooted everything that children once knew about school and learning, I think that the need for my ideas is bigger than ever.
That is why I created School Sparks, a place in which I can write down and share all of my ideas on how to get students excited about going to school again. I hope that you’ll find some useful within a school setting, even at home too!
