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Curated OER

State v. Russell, Minnesota Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the impact of court decisions. In this Minnesota Supreme Court lesson, students read the State v. Russell case study regarding cocaine drug use. High schoolers take notes on the case and respond to discussion...
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Curated OER

History of Supreme Court

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students study the role of the U.S. Supreme Court in U.S. history. They explore current events about the U.S. Constitution and discuss the Marbury v. Madison case from 1803. They identify the term "judicial review" and judicial...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The "Big Four" of the Michigan Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars 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.
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Curated OER

History of the Michigan Supreme Court from the Territorial Court and the founding of the Michigan Supreme Court in 1836 to Justice Mary S. Coleman and her interpretation of "One Court of Justice"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students trace the history of the Michigan Supreme Court from when the state was still a territory. They define procedures as they relate to the Court. They compare and contrast the territorial court to the new Court.
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Ethnicity, Gender and the Courts

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore their own beliefs about the qualities that make someone qualified to sit on the Supreme Court.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders write about and debate the ethnic, religious, and gender...
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Judges in the Classroom

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars define the legal meaning of juvenile and identify various ways to treat young offenders. They identify the current philosophy of the Utah juvenile justice system using a true/false worksheet and discussion format.
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Justice

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students discuss strengths and weaknesses of the court system in providing equal justice for all. They identify factors that cause these weaknesses and recommend solutions.
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Supreme Court: Background

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explain the role of the Supremem Court under the Constitution. They explore current evetns related to the Constitution and read about the roles of the Senate and President in selecting the next justice. They create a chart about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Death Penalty

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders perform a study of the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and focus on the protection against cruel and unusual punishment in the Eighth Amendment as it relates to the death penalty. Prior to formulating a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Formation and Function of the Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze the role of the U.S. Supreme Court. They read a handout and Article III, section 1 of the Constitution, analyze and rate by relevance noteworthy Supreme Court cases, and write how they decided each rating.
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Constitution

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders simulate a U.S. Supreme Court hearing concerning a First Amendment case about school prayer by participating in a hearing.
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Constitutional Rights Of Students

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders brief Supreme Court cases about student rights that they have studied over the past year, and apply them to a contemporary situation.
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Bench-Pressing Issues

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine some of the issues that may be facing the changing United States Supreme Court. With further exploration, they formulate their own opinions and deepen their awareness of these critical topics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine student search and seizure. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from New Jersey v. T.L.O. and discuss the implications of the decision.
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Facing History and Ourselves

Emmett Till: Confronting the Murder

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The 1955 murder of Emmett Till is often regarded as the catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century. Learn more about the brutal crime—and, as many believe, the miscarriage of justice—that began a national conversation...
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Civil Rights and the Michigan Supreme Court I: A Case of Racial Discrimination in the late 1800s and Minority Supreme Court Justices

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars read the decision of the Michigan Supreme Court in the Ferguson v. Gies, a case dealing with discrimination in a restaurant. They participate in a class discussion about the case and the justices that presided over it....
Lesson Plan
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In the Courts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore desegregation in the courts. In this civil rights instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on Supreme Court cases Brown v. Board of Education and Plessy v. Ferguson....
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Curated OER

The "Big Four"

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify the four individuals who are identified as the "Big Four", examine the years they were on the bench together, and look and the impact they made in key cases.
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In Search of Rights

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders research Supreme Court cases. They formally debate court rulings, write a scenario portraying a possible futuristic America and participate in a field practicum for media production, while evaluating various social,...
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Supreme Court Confirmation Process

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Supreme Court and the confirmation process. They simulate a confirmation hearing with students role-playing as nominees and others as members of the Judiciary Committee. Students compose short essays outlining the...
Lesson Plan
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Regents of the U. of California v. Blake

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine affirmative action and equal protection. In this Supreme Court lesson plan, students examine primary documents from Regents of the U. of California v. Blake and discuss the implications of the decision.
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Kids in the Classroom on Summit Day

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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 sticker or...
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Curated OER

Faces of the Bench

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
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Curated OER

Getting Smart About The Pill

For Teachers 10th - 12th
By working in pairs your students can discuss choosing to take the birth control pill. After reading a pamphlet they test their knowledge through the use of a quiz using very delicate material. Quiz material and readings are provided....