Article
A&E Television

History.com: Why Do 9 Justices Serve on the Supreme Court?

For Students 9th - 10th
The Constitution doesn't stipulate how many justices should serve on the Court, in fact, that number fluctuated until 1869.
Article
FOX News

Fox News: Bush Taps Alito for Supreme Court

For Students 9th - 10th
With much controversy surrounding his pick, President George W. Bush chooses Samuel Alito to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. Along with this November, 2005, article, are links to photos, videos, and other resources.
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: The Supreme Court's Ruling in Brown vs. Board of Education

For Students 9th - 10th
A learning module that begins with "The Supreme Court's Ruling in Brown vs. Board of Education" by U. S. Supreme Court, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a...
Website
Other

Mt. Vernon Ladies' Association: George Washington and the Supreme Court

For Students 9th - 10th
George Washington was responsible for a lot of firsts for our nation. One such task was to fill the Supreme Court with six justices. Read the following excerpt about this duty and use the chart to see who he nominated and for how long...
Article
A&E Television

History.com: How John Marshall Expanded the Power of the Supreme Court

For Students 9th - 10th
When John Marshall was appointed chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1801, the nation's highest court occupied a lowly position. There was no Supreme Court Building in the newly completed capital, Washington, D.C., so the six...
Handout
Illinois Institute of Technology

The Oyez Project: Stephen G. Breyer

For Students 9th - 10th
A lengthy biography of Supreme Court justice, Stephen G. Breyer. Read about the influences in his life, his education, and his experience before joining the Supreme Court. Site also offers a recounting of court opinions in which he has...
Article
A&E Television

History.com: Controversial Supreme Court Nominations Through History

For Students 9th - 10th
Presidents dating back to George Washington have faced opposition to their nominees for the nation's highest court. The justices who sit on the Supreme Court of the United States hold a unique governing power, making their selection...
Handout
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS features a summary of the landmark Supreme Court case of Dred Scott v. Sanford which ruled that African Americans are not American citizens, and therefore could not sue in federal court. Decision written by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney.
Handout
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: Marbury v. Madison (1803)

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS features a summary of the landmark Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison, which deals with the principle of "judicial review." Opinion written by Chief Justice John Marshall.
Handout
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS presents a summary of the landmark Supreme Court case of Miranda v. Arizona which ruled that a person suspected of a crime must be informed of their constitutional rights before police questioning, becoming known as the "Miranda...
Handout
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS features a summary of the landmark Supreme Court case of Gibbons v. Ogden which dealt with congressional powers through the Commerce Clause of Article I, Section 8. Decision written by Chief Justice John Marshall.
Activity
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez: u.s. Supreme Court Justices

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from Oyez provides a listing of all Supreme Court justices, starting with James Wilson and John Jay, dating from 1789 to the most current appointee.
Website
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Supreme Court Justices: Thurgood Marshall

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is an overview of the life and career of Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993), an advocate for civil rights and the first African-American Supreme Court justice. Read about Marshall's family, education, and career in law and government.
Interactive
New York Times

New York Times: Changes at the u.s. Supreme Court

For Students 9th - 10th
An outstanding interactive graphic that allows you to explore many aspects of the Supreme Court. You may view historic cases and how specific justices voted, research the opinions, rulings and background of John Roberts, and delve into...
Website
Other

Age of Jefferson and Jackson:john Marshall: The "Man Who Made the Court Supreme"

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a thorough essay discussing the many important decisions handed down by the Supreme Court while John Marshall was Chief Justice. There are hyperlinks to each of the decisions.
Handout
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: History of the Supreme Court

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives insight into both the creation of the U.S. Supreme Court as well as its transformation to its present state. Throughout the text links can be found which lead to various Supreme Court topics and information.
Handout
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: The Court and Democracy: The Look of Authority

For Students 9th - 10th
The Supreme Court presents an image of authority. Here you can find what symbols, objects, and architecture are used to create that look of authority in the highest court in the United States.
Website
Other

Supreme Court of the United States

For Students 9th - 10th
The official site for the Supreme Court of the United States provides information on the dockets, the rules, and the opinions of the Court. Also of interest is the information on the Supreme Court judges and on the building itself. Be...
Activity
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Biographies of the Robes: Sandra Day O'connor

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical account of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1981. She was the first woman to ever serve as a justice on the Supreme Court.
Activity
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Biographies of the Robes: Thurgood Marshall

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS presents a biographical account of the life of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve in the court. Details his commitment to civil rights and liberties.
Activity
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Biographies of the Robes: William Brennan, Jr.

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical account of Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, Jr. appointed by Dwight Eisenhower in 1956. He was considered to be one of the most influential liberal justices to ever serve on the Supreme Court.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Supreme Court

For Students 3rd - 5th
This site has a simple explanation of the Supreme Court for kid's to read. You can also access the Official Supreme Court Web site from here.
Article
CNN

Cnn: Change at the Supreme Court

For Students 9th - 10th
CNN article providing detailed information on the Senate confirmation hearing of Samuel Alito who was sworn in as the 110th Supreme Court justice on January 31st, 2006.
Handout
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Biographies of the Robes: Warren Earl Burger

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS offers a biographical account of the life of Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger, a conservative appointed by Richard Nixon.