Story of Our Rights and Freedoms - Rights, Freedoms and the Court System

In this Finding Out lesson, students will explore the Australian court system and its relationship to rights and freedoms. Students are introduced to the topic in a debate line, wherein they respond to a set of provocations from a specific viewpoint. The class will view a video featuring an overview of the court system, and engage in a ‘See-Think-Wonder’ visible thinking routine. Students will work in groups to research and present information about an aspect of the Australian court system they are wondering about. Students will use a hexagonal thinking tool to make connections between the Australian court system and rights and freedoms. Finally, students will reflect on their learning using the ‘Connect-Extend-Challenge’ visible thinking routine.

Essential questions:

• What is the Australian court (judicial) system?
• What is the purpose of courts of law?
• What are the details of the court system?
• What is the link between the court system and rights and freedoms?