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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landmark Supreme Court Cases and the Constitution: Reynolds v. United States (1878)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the impact of court decisions. In this Supreme Court instructional activity, students read the Reynolds v. United States (1878) case study regarding first election decided by the House of Representatives. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eminent Domain: Should Private Property Be Taken for Public Use?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of eminent domain. In this eminent domain lesson, students analyze positive and negative consequences of Supreme Court rulings in three cases pertaining to the public good.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Fourteenth Amendment. In this Supreme Court lesson, students define due process and equal protection as they analyze the impact of the amendment and the Supreme Court on workers' rights in the early 20th century....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

FDR Tries to Pack the Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the Court Reform Bill of 1937. In this Supreme Court lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details Frankin Roosevelt and his attempt to pack the Supreme Court. Students analyze the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Illustrated Bill of Rights

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Pupils shoot Bill of Rights videos. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students film digital segment that illustrate the meaning of the first 10 amendments. Pupils integrate the video clips into PowerPoint presentations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Impact of Hazelwood on School Publications

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore the Supreme Court Case Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier.  In this American Government lesson, 9th graders research the recent history of censorship and how the courts have been involved in either protecting or...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

iCivics: Court Quest

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners explore the responsibilities of the Supreme Court. In this judicial branch lesson, students play an online game that requires them to respond to questions regarding the Supreme Court's responsibilities.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Congress - Courts Keeping the Balance

For Students 8th - 11th
In this checks and balances in U.S. government worksheet, students read a 5-paragraph selection regarding Congress and the Supreme Court and then respond to 3 short answer questions.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Judicial Branch

For Students 8th - 12th
In this U.S. branches of government activity, students respond to 5 fill in the blank questions regarding the powers of the judicial branch of government.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Judicial Branch

For Students 8th - 12th
In this checks and balances in U.S. government worksheet, learners read a 4-paragraph selection regarding the Supreme Court and then respond to 5 fill in the blank questions.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Citizenship Worksheet 3 - How the Government Works

For Students 8th - 9th
For this government and citizenship worksheet, students learn the duties and responsibilities of the three branches of government and the system of checks and balances.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Washington, D.C.

For Students 7th - 9th
In this Washington, D.C. government facts activity, students read ten facts associated with the United States and determine if they are true or false.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes a Good Judge?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students define qualities that should be considered when selecting judge, evaluate costs and benefits of two methods of selecting and retaining judges, decide whether methods provide for judicial independence and judicial accountability,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Selecting a Chief Justice For The United States Supreme Court: The Senate Confirmation Hearings of Judge John Roberts, Jr.

For Teachers 6th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Functions of the Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners research the branches of government and write summaries about both the state and federal systems. After conducting reaserch in texts and online, students create Venn diagrams displaying the governmental functions of the three...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You and the Judicial System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore how the structure of the state and federal judicial systems affect them. They select an appropriate media and create a presentation on the structure of the judicial system, the criminal judicial system and a guide...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moot Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners research and discuss court cases in preparation for Moot Court. Student attorneys research precedents involving their cases, while student justices research political ideology of Supreme Court Justices. Student attorneys then...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Zen and the Art of Murder

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students describe the importance of citizen involvement in the judicial system. They play the role of a witness to a crime scene by watching the video clip. Students discuss how differing eyewitness accounts can affect a police...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Brown v. the Board of Education: Success or Failure?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners identify reactions to Brown v. Board of Education. They evaluate the extent to which Brown was successful in desegregating American education. Students evaluate the role of the judiciary in affecting societal change.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charting the Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners review CongressLink on the internet and study the branches of government. They work in groups to create charts showing the structure and functions of the three branches of government as outlined in the first three articles to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Judicial Review

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Student demonstrate understanding of both sides of the argument between Jefferson and Marshall that led to the strengthening of the Judicial Branch through the creation of judicial review. Unit is comprised of five lessons and fits into...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chief Justice Roberts Goes to Court

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Pupils gain an introductory into the branches of government. Students research all parts of government and use Frames to create a public service announcement to teach others the parts of government and how they work.
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Lesson Plan
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.