It's beneficial for students to take a focused look at key questions when learning about more complex topics, such as the composition and responsibilities of the Judicial Branch. in this activity, students will create a spider map that represents the 5 Ws of the Judicial Branch. For each W, students will ask and answer a central question. Using the cell space, students will create a visual representation to accompany their responses. This can be used as an introductory activity or as a summative assignment at the end of the unit.
Here are some examples of possible questions:
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a 5W analysis of the Judicial Branch: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
Engage students by assigning roles such as judges, lawyers, and jurors to simulate a real court case. Mock trials bring abstract judicial concepts to life and help students understand courtroom procedures in a fun, interactive way.
Distribute role cards and outline each role’s duties so students know what to expect. Clear instructions help students feel confident and keep the activity running smoothly.
Choose a simple, relatable scenario—such as a school rule or playground dispute—so all students can participate thoughtfully. Relevant cases boost engagement and encourage critical thinking.
Walk students through opening statements, witness questioning, and deliberation. Model each stage to reinforce proper courtroom etiquette and ensure everyone understands the process.
Lead a conversation about what students learned and how judicial decisions impact society. Reflection helps solidify new concepts and connects the lesson to students’ everyday lives.
The 5 Ws of the Judicial Branch are: Who is involved, What it does, When it was created, Where it is located, and Why it exists. These questions help students break down and understand the structure and function of the Judicial Branch.
A great way to teach the 5 Ws of the Judicial Branch is through a spider map activity, where students answer Who, What, When, Where, and Why questions and create visual representations for each. This approach encourages critical thinking and helps students organize information clearly.
Introducing the Judicial Branch with a 5 Ws spider map is effective. Students answer key questions and create images for each W, making learning interactive and accessible for grades 6-12.
Using the 5 Ws helps students break down complex topics like the Judicial Branch into manageable parts, ensuring they understand who is involved, what the branch does, when and where it operates, and why it matters in government.
Include questions such as: Who is a member of the Judicial Branch? What is its purpose? When was it created? Where is it located? Why do we have it? These guide students to think critically about the Judicial Branch.