Resources for Teachers

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.

Center for Teaching the Rule of Law

The Center for Teaching the Rule of Law and its Rule of Law Project are a web-based resource and training center designed to teach the rule of law on a global scale. It is funded and supported by The Virginia Law Foundation and the Virginia Bar Association.

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.