This page contains links to a small selection of resources for teaching about the Virginia courts, Virginia law, and general civics topics.
Capitol Area Tours
The Judicial Learning Center at the Supreme Court of Virginia welcomes tour groups! While you’re here, why not also take advantage of the court’s close proximity to the Capitol Building, the monuments on Capitol Square, and the Executive Mansion? Group tours are available by appointment.
Virginia Judiciary Website
The official website of the judicial branch contains important content for those with business before the courts, including contact information and rules for Virginia’s courts, calendars and schedules, recordings of appellate court oral arguments, judicial opinions, and a link to a self-help website for Virginians without attorneys.
The Virginia Judiciary website also features a tab labeled “For Students/Teachers,” which includes: FAQs and a glossary of court terms, information pamphlets about the courts, the Justice Case Files series of graphic novels and lesson plans created by the National Center for State Courts, and much more.
Virginia Rules
This site, created by the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia, is an educational program designed to help instructors, parents, and students understand the law as it applies to Virginia’s teens in their everyday lives.
Civics Connects
Civics Connects is a web based educational resource for Virginia middle school students formed from the 2023 merger of the John Marshall Center for Constitutional History & Civics with the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. These Virginia-SOL- and national-standards-aligned lessons may be used sequentially over the course of an academic year or as individual civics and economics enrichment activities.
Justice in the Classroom
Justice in the Classroom is an educational program for middle and high school students funded by the Virginia Law Foundation and The John Marshall Foundation. The website features three series of lesson plans: Rule of Law and John Marshall, The Rule of Law, and Judicial Systems – Federal and Virginia.
iCivics.org
iCivics was founded by former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. It includes lesson plans, games, and activities to support general civics education and is searchable by state standard and grade. Teachers must register for a free account to download materials.