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United States v. Nixon (1974)
Young scholars examine checks and balances. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from United States v. Nixon and discuss the implications of the decision.
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Dred Scott v. Sandford
Students examine the issues of slavery and due process. In this Supreme Court lesson plan, students examine primary documents from Dred Scott v. Sandford and discuss the implications of the decision.
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Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
Students examine state rights and the commerce clause. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from Gibbons v. Ogden and discuss the implications of the decision.
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Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Students examine Miranda v. Arizona. For this court decisions lesson, students analyze the self incrimination case and read other supplemental articles about police procedures and due process. Students discuss the Supreme Court decision...
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Branches of US Government
Students research the responsibilities of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. In this U.S. government lesson, students research the jobs of those in each branch and present their finding to their classmates.
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Types of Branches
Fourth graders study the three branches of government. In this politics lesson, 4th graders list the three branches of government, understanding what each branch does, and compare and contrast how government is run with how the school is...
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The Three Branches of Government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)
Fifth graders compare the three branches of government to a three-legged chair. In this government lesson, 5th graders discuss the Founding Fathers, the Constitution, and checks and balances. Students study what each branch of government...
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Public Trust and Confidence
Students analyze the judiciary system. For this government lesson, students participate in a class discussion on methods to prevent unfairness in the Judicial courts.
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The Bill of Rights and the Supreme Court
Learners explore what the United States would be like today if the Bill of Rights had never been written. In this exploring the constitution lesson, students research Supreme Court cases that were heard in the early years of the U.S....
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The Three Branches of Government
Students write about working in one branch of government. For this branches of government lesson, students read about the three levels of government using various websites and then work in groups to discuss, illustrate and write about...
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With Liberty and Justice for All
Young scholars examine the role of Supreme Court justices. In this judicial branch lesson, students consider the civil rights and civil liberties as they investigate Minersville School District v. Gobitis (1940) and West Virginia State...
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Religion and Politics: The Battle Over the Judiciary
Students analyze the relationship between religion an politics. In this Supreme Court instructional activity, students examine the results of the 2004 presidential election and explore how the results impacted George W. Bush and his...
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Twelve Angry Men: Trial by Jury as a Right and as a Political Institution
Young scholars explore the constitutional guarantee of the right to trial by jury. In this U. S. Constitution instructional activity, students read or view Twelve Angry Men and respond to discussion questions regarding the jury. Young...
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Words That Hold Court
Students recognize the importance of the Supreme Court. In this legal terminology lesson, students define a list of words to understand the Supreme Court and the language used in cases. Students revise a case summary.
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Sandra Day O'Connor
No unit on important women in history would be complete without a lesson on Sandra Day O'Connor. After reading background information about the first female Supreme Court justice, middle schoolers engage in several activities addressing...
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Words That Hold Court
Students research legal terminology used in the Supreme Court. In this legal terminology lesson, students study a quote from President Obama about the Supreme Court. Students make a list of facts about the Supreme Court and the justices...
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How the Court Became Supreme
Students investigate how the Supreme Court changed under the leadership of John Marshall. In this Supreme Court lesson, students recognize the role of the Supreme Court as well as the significance of Marbury v. Madison. Students also...
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The Three Branches of Government
In this United States government activity, students learn about the 3 branches of the government: Executive, Judicial, and Legislative. They then answer 10 questions about what they learned. The answers are on the last page of the packet.
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Bill of Rights
Twelfth graders list, describe, and illustrate the specific rights guaranteed to individuals and how they are secured. Then they examine landmark Supreme Court cases, such as, Airport Commissioner vs. Jews for Jesus, New Jersey vs. TLO,...
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Government Mobile
Fourth graders, after studying the three branches of state government and gathering together a variety of art materials, create a mobile explaining all three branches of the government. They display their mobiles inside the classroom for...
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The Legacy of the Warren Court
High schoolers 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...
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Lesson 2: The Tired King
Students are introduced to the three functions of government (legislative, judicial, and executive). They read and discuss a story about an overworked king who must handle all the tasks of government. Students give a description of the...
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Internment of Japanese-Americans
High schoolers assess the significance of a watershed event in the political history of the United States . They identify events and issues associated with the internment of Japanese-Americans as a result of the Japanese attack on Pearl...
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The Supremes
High schoolers discuss steps cases go through to reach Supreme Court, examine Bill of Rights, and rank rights in order of importance to them. Students then research Supreme Court case dealing with one of first ten amendments, and write...