📖

The Judiciary Act of 1789

The New Government Begins

Day 124of 180
Week 25of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the basic structure of the federal court system

2

Learn how laws create government branches

3

Explore how fair judgment reflects God's justice

📖 Scripture Connection

Deuteronomy 16:18

“You shall make judges and officers for yourself in all your gates, which Yahweh your God gives you, according to your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.”

— Deuteronomy 16:18 (WEB)

Shows God's desire for fair and just legal systems

📦 Materials Needed

  • White poster board
  • Colored markers
  • Scissors
  • Printed court structure diagram
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Begin with a quick discussion about what courts do and why fair judges are important

💭 Review Question: What do you think makes a good judge?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain how the Judiciary Act of 1789 created the first federal court system with district and circuit courts

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Courts help resolve conflicts peacefully
  • Different types of courts handle different kinds of problems
  • The first courts were designed to be fair for all people
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why is it important to have fair courts?
  • How do courts help protect people's rights?
3Activity: Create a Court System Poster (10 min)
hands-on

Students will create a visual representation of the court system

📝 Instructions:
  1. Divide poster board into sections
  2. Draw district and circuit court levels
  3. Label key roles like judges and lawyers
  4. Decorate with symbols of justice
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-draw court structure outline

Challenge: Include Supreme Court details

4Closing (5 min)

Review key points about court system and justice

📝 Review Questions:
  • What are the two main types of courts created in 1789?
  • Why is fair judgment important?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us understand the importance of justice and treating others fairly.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about the new capital city, Washington D.C.

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 21:15

“It is joy to the just to do justice; but it is destruction to the workers of iniquity.”

— Proverbs 21:15 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Court Justice Charades

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The Judiciary Act established federal court structure, creating district and circuit courts

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use simple language when explaining legal concepts
  • Connect court fairness to biblical principles of justice
🤔 Common Struggles:

Understanding the difference between types of courts

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's ability to explain basic court system structure

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Research a famous early Supreme Court case
  • Act out a mock trial
  • Create court system trading cards

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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