Street Law’s Most Popular Resources of 2023
January 11, 2024
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Street Law’s Resource Library is home to more than 500 free educational resources, which were downloaded more than 50,000 times in 2023.
For many teachers, the Street Law Resource Library is their first stop when looking for reliably high-quality curricular materials on topics related to law, government, civics, and rule of law.
This article spotlights the top 10 most downloaded resources in 2023 and what makes each one so valuable in the classroom.
Honorable Mention: Electoral College Deliberation (High School Level)
While not in our top 10 most downloaded resources, the Electoral College Deliberation is our most popular deliberation, which earned it an honorable mention.
Street Law’s Deliberations guide students through a structured and balanced discussion of current and contested public issues. Students carefully consider multiple perspectives and search for consensus around key questions facing society, like “Should the Electoral College be abolished?”
In recognition of its valuable contribution toward preparing students to engage in effective civic discussions, we are including this deliberation as an honorable mention in this list.
10. Brown v. Jones
Coming in at position number 10 is the engaging and informative mock trial scenario, Brown v. Jones.
Offering a realistic portrayal of a civil case, this simple mock trial brings the issue of tenant eviction into sharp focus, with a landlord suing a tenant over non-payment of rent.
This mock trial may be used alongside Street Law’s Classroom Guide to Mock Trials.
9. Case Summary: Tinker v. Des Moines School District (High School Level)
Ranked ninth is the case summary of the historic Tinker v. Des Moines School District.
This high-school-level summary provides an array of case information, including key facts, the case issue, constitutional provisions, precedents, arguments, and decision.
This case is also available in a middle school-friendly version, and for a deeper dive and additional materials for Tinker v. Des Moines, see our sister site: LandmarkCases.org.
8. Case Summary: Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (High School Level)
Our eighth most downloaded resource is Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, our SCOTUS in the Classroom case from winter 2021.
This case challenged the precedent set by Roe v. Wade and raised the compelling question: Are all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions unconstitutional?
Street Law is the go-to place for relevant and timely SCOTUS materials. Each SCOTUS Term, we select the most classroom-relevant, student-friendly cases as our SCOTUS in the Classroom cases. Teachers are encouraged to hold moot courts or mini-moot courts of the case the same weeks that the Supreme Court hears arguments, giving students the opportunity to follow discussion and analysis in the news and listen to or read a transcript of the actual oral arguments at the Court.
Looking for more materials on this topic? We recently updated the Roe v. Wade case page on LandmarkCases.org to reflect the changes brought about by Dobbs.
7. Technology and the Fourth Amendment Inquiry Pack
The Technology and the Fourth Amendment Inquiry Pack is based on an array of primary sources from the Library of Congress and guides students through the depths of how technological advances have reshaped the interpretation of the Fourth Amendment.
From wiretapping telephones to the use of cell phone location data, the resource paints a vivid picture of the transforming interface of technology and law.
Designed to accompany the Safeguards of Justice timeline at LegalTimelines.org, this resource may also be used as a standalone lesson.
Visit LegalTimelines.org to find many more inquiry packs that accompany each of our five interactive, visual timelines designed to help high school and middle school students learn about America’s legal history.
6. SCOTUS Comparison Cases for the AP U.S. Government and Politics Course and Exam
Calling all AP U.S. Gov teachers! To aid teachers in preparing students to respond successfully to free response questions (FRQs), Street Law has compiled these SCOTUS comparison case resources to help teach about comparison cases to the required cases.
Sourced exclusively from Street Law’s Free Resource Library, this collection, although not exhaustive, is a helpful tool to have in your AP exam preparation toolbox.
5. Classroom Guide to Moot Courts
Earning the halfway spot on our list is the Classroom Guide to Moot Courts. The 10-lesson-plan guide presents a comprehensive look at the intricate world of appellate courts and Supreme Court oral arguments within a classroom setting.
This resource will help set the stage for a successful moot court experience—from understanding the appellate process to granting cert to judicial opinion writing to evaluation tools.
4. People v. Taylor
In fourth place we have our second fictional case in this list, People v. Taylor.
With the defendant pleading self-defense, this riveting mock trial stirs active student engagement and promotes critical thinking. Coupled with Street Law’s Classroom Guide to Mock Trials, it presents students with a first-hand taste of the exhilarating, contentious world of legal proceedings.
3. Rule of Law for All Curriculum
Securing the third position on our list is the Rule of Law for All Curriculum. This eight-lesson set guides students through an exploration of the rule of law, a fundamental principle nurturing the bedrock of democracy.
Designed to be versatile, this resource is suitable for use across middle and high school social studies courses, ranging from U.S. History to Civics and Law to Global Studies.
Through student-centered pedagogy, this curriculum places the rule of law in the context of students’ lives and social identities, bridging the gap between textbook definitions and lived experiences, especially for marginalized communities.
2. Required SCOTUS Cases for AP U.S. Gov’t & Politics Exam
In a well-earned second place finish is Required SCOTUS Cases for AP U.S. Gov’t & Politics Exam. Formulated in response to the course and exam redesign in 2018, this compilation provides comprehensive coverage of mandatory Supreme Court cases, all neatly captured in a single document.
Ranging from the groundbreaking Marbury v. Madison in 1803 to the controversial Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission in 2010, these cases form the cornerstone of the AP U.S. Government and Politics curriculum.
Its standing speaks for itself as it proudly takes the number two spot in our top 10 of 2023.
1. Classroom Guide to Mock Trials
Closing our list as the number one most downloaded Street Law resource in 2023 is the Classroom Guide to Mock Trials (2021 Edition). This guide covers a wide range of topics through 11 engaging lesson plans, helping students grasp court proceedings in a more practical, hands-on manner. With mock scenarios drawn from real-life court cases, the guide provides an invaluable perspective into the world of law.
Each lesson is designed for individual download, making it a flexible resource for educators. The lessons guide teachers and students alike through the steps in a trial from voir dire to closing arguments. It includes simple, moderate, and advanced mock trials—a feature that made it particularly popular among educators.
Its power to transform classrooms into courthouse simulations easily earned the Classroom Guide to Mock Trials the number one most downloaded resource from the Street Law Resource Library.
