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 activity on Sandra Day O'Connor. After reading background information about the first female Supreme Court justice, middle schoolers engage in several activities...
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
Students 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 of...
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
Learners 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...
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
Learners 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
Learners 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
Students 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.
Cornell University
Cornell University: Law School: Us Supreme Court: Justice Alito
Biographical information about Supreme Court Justise Samuel Alito. Included in this site from the Cornell Law School is a link to Justice Alito's recent court decisions.
New York Times
New York Times: Sonia Sotomayor
[Free Registration/Login Required] Sonia Sotomayor was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in August 2009. This site has very comprehensive information about Sotomayor's life and judicial background, her nomination, the debate around her...
Other
History of the Supreme Court: Timeline of the Justices
The Supreme Court Historical Society provides a timeline page on the history of the Supreme Court. All judges' names are hyperlinked and include a brief biography and picture. There are also links to more Supreme Court information.
Cornell University
Cornell University: Law School: Us Supreme Court: Justice Breyer
Read a brief biography of Supreme Court Justice, Stephen Breyer. Included is a link to the recent decisions in which Justice Breyer was involved, including opinions, concurrences, and dissents. From the Cornell University Law School.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: The u.s. Supreme Court: Fdr Tries to "Pack" the Supreme Court
Lesson and activity in which students learn about the importance of the Supreme Court, balance of power, and judicial reform.
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Oyez Project: Stephen G. Breyer
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...
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Oyez Project
The Oyez Project offers tons of multimedia information on the U.S. Supreme Court, including On This Day, Justices, Cases, Tour, Discussions, Findlaw, Appellate.net, and On This Docket.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Court and Democracy: The Look of Authority
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.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Timeline: Supreme Court Developments
PBS' series on the Supreme Court offers this interactive timeline showing important dates in Supreme Court history. Clicking on the date gives more information about cases being decided around that specific time. A great resource.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Anthony M. Kennedy
Acquaint yourself with Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, appointed by President Reagan in 1988. Read about his background and achievements, listen to an interview, and view a gallery of pictures.