Heritage Foundation
Exercising Judicial Power
We should all do more exercising, but should the judicial branch as well? High schoolers develop their understanding of what powers the judicial branch carries because of the US Constitution, as well as where their limits lie in the...
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Nomination Process
"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States..." Scholars investigate the nomination process of Supreme Court justices when assuming office. Through examination of primary and secondary...
Cornell College
Dred Scott v. Sandford Supreme Court Decision
Dred Scott was a harbinger of the Civil War. An enslaved man claimed freedom because his owner had taken him into free territory. Not only did the Supreme Court rule that Dred Scott and his wife were to remain enslaved, but it also ruled...
Curated OER
Sandra Day O'Connor
No unit on important women in history would be complete without a instructional activity on Sandra Day O'Connor. After reading background information about the first female Supreme Court justice, middle schoolers engage in several...
Curated OER
The Legacy of the Warren Court
Students examine the major decisions by the Supreme Court when Warren was the Chief Justice. In groups, they research the life and other works of Earl Warren and discuss how ones background can influence decisions. They also examine...
Curated OER
Checks and Balances in Supreme Court Nominations
Learners discover the system of Checks and Balances related to recent events prompting action by one or more of the three branches of government. They study the process for selecting and confirming a Supreme Court justice. They examine...
Curated OER
Selecting a Chief Justice For The United States Supreme Court: The Senate Confirmation Hearings of Judge John Roberts, Jr.
Students review the procedures for selecting a new Supreme Court Justice. In groups, they determine which questions the nominee should be asked and practice asking the questions with a classmate. They watch the confirmation hearings...
Curated OER
What Do You Know? Supreme Court Nominations
Young scholars discuss what they believe Supreme Court Justices should do while in office. As a class, they brainstorm a list of their prior knowledge about the justices and Supreme Court. In their journal, they write about the qualities...
Curated OER
John G. Roberts, Jr. -- Nominee, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Students examine the life and work of John G. Roberts, the nominee to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In groups, they use the internet to define the role of the Chief Justice and complete handouts to record their information....
Curated OER
Kids in the Classroom on Summit Day
High schoolers discuss the qualifications of a Supreme Court justice. As a class, they role play the role of a justice and share with the class why they are the best qualified candidate for the job. In groups, they create a bumper...
Curated OER
A Look At The Current Court
High schoolers examine the characteristics of Supreme Court Justices. Using the interent, they research current effects effecting the Court. They complete a worksheet after examine the biographies of the justices. As a class, they...
Curated OER
Faces of the Bench
Students use primary source documents to gather information on justices in the Michigan Supreme Court. They write about the thoughts and experiences of the author. They identify and describe each justice briefly.
Curated OER
The "Big Four" of the Michigan Supreme Court
Students identify the justices on the Michigan Supreme Court known as the "Big Four". They relate to them by researching their lives. They participate in an activity in which they practice their investigation and presentation skills.
Curated OER
Big Four Baseball
Learners identify the justices known as the "Big Four" in the Michigan Supreme Court. They explore their similarities and differences. They examine the cases that were decided by them that have had an impact on the laws in Michigan.