Courts, High and Low

While more highly-trained and speedy media outlets have been reporting on President Obama's historic nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, we would like to share some additional information about our judicial system.

Our Courts is a site founded by retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. It's designed to help teachers and students learn more about courts, civics, and government. It has games and news for the kids, curriculum-builders and other teaching tools for the adults. There is also a Talk to the Justice section where you can post questions for Justice O'Connor and read what other kids' responses are.

While school is winding down, and more homework is the last thing kids, parents, and teachers are in the mood for, Our Courts will be a useful site as that occasional, yet treasured, summer past-time rolls around: the Senate Confirmation Hearings. Something not yet on Our Courts (and many news channels)? A handy guide to correctly pronouncing Judge Sotomayor's name.