+
Worksheet
Digital History

The New Nation

For Students 9th - 12th
George Washington and the new nation of the United States of America faced many problems in their inaugural years. Use this worksheet as a straightforward approach to learning about the reasons the country was experiencing a lack of...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Remember the Ladies: The Supreme Court and Women's Suffrage, Minor v. Happersett

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments as they examine the fight for women's suffrage. They explore the Nineteenth Amendment.
+
Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: The Supreme Court

For Students 9th - 10th
The Dirksen Center provides a page of excellent links to information about the Supreme Court including information on Brown v. Board of Education, the Constitution test, a dual court system, equal protection, supreme court judges, the...
+
Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: The Federal Judiciary Act

For Students 9th - 10th
An online resource on the Federal Judiciary Act that provides an explanation of the Act, an image of the document itself, and the text.
+
Article
Other

Certiorari Practice: The Supreme Court's Shrinking Docket

For Students 9th - 10th
Recent legislation has allowed the Supreme Court discretionary, rather than obligatory powers, in deciding which cases to decide. This in-depth and well-developed essay describes the process and criticizes the new system, while providing...
+
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: How the Supreme Court Affects the Lives of Teens (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Objectives for this lesson include describing the structure and function of the Supreme Court, looking at important decisions, and discussing recent rulings and issues.
+
Website
Other

The Federal Judiciary: Faq

For Students 9th - 10th
Frequently asked questions about the federal judiciary, including judges, the court system, filing a case, jurors, the judicial conference, and employment opportunities.
+
Activity
Other

Federal Judicial Center: Inside the Federal Courts

For Students 9th - 10th
A fantastic overview of the federal court system of the United States can be found here. Read about what the federal courts do, the difference between federal and state courts, the types of cases handled by federal courts, the structure...
+
Website
Other

The Federal Judiciary Homepage

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of the Federal Court System, with an historical overview and a general description of the current system.
+
Article
Lectric Law Library

Lectric Law Library: Understanding the Federal Courts

For Students 9th - 10th
This document provides an overview of the organization, operation, and administration of the entire federal court system. The article gives information on the federal judicial branch, the state and federal courts, the structure of the...
+
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The New Nation [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Many problems existed for the new United States. Read about issues facing George Washington as the new President, and find out about the major successes of the first Congress. [PDF]
+
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Federal Court System

For Students 9th - 10th
Discussion of the structure, purpose, powers and Constitutional safeguards of the Federal Court System.
+
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Federal Judiciary of the United States

For Students 9th - 10th
This Wikipedia entry on the Federal government of the United States gives detailed information on each aspect of the judiciary branch.
+
Website
Other

Anthony Kennedy on Issues

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides links to quotes from Anthony Kennedy on various issues and a profile.
+
Article
Other

Unt: Deciding to Decide, the Law and Politics Book Review

For Students 9th - 10th
This informative review of "Deciding to Decide: Agenda Setting in the United States Supreme Court" by H.W. Perry, Jr. describes the process of Supreme Court case selection.
+
Activity
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez Project: Sandra Day O'connor

For Students 9th - 10th
Good biographical sketch with picture and links to information on appointment, family, experience, biographical sketch, after office, literature and case participation.
+
Handout
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez Project: Anthony Kennedy

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents a biographical sketch of Anthony Kennedy with a picture and links to information on appointment, family, experience, biographical sketch, after office, literature and case participation.
+
Primary
Other

Supreme Court of the United States: Opinions

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Supreme Court of the United States contains links to opinion documents from the Supreme Court.
+
Activity
Other

Understanding the Federal Courts

For Students 9th - 10th
A ten part publication which describes the federal court system, its structure and organization, what types of cases they hear and much more. You can also download a PDF version of the document.
+
Graphic
Other

Us District Courts

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a comprehensive government site that links you to all of the district courts in the United States. It is easy to navigate and find necessary information. The large map helps you locate the district of your choice.
+
Website
Other

Federal Judicial Center

For Students 9th - 10th
Travel throughout the Federal Judicial Center at this site. "The Federal Judicial Center is the education and research agency for the federal courts." This is a comprehensive site that outlines the publications, federal judicial history...
+
Article
Cato Institute

Buying Justice: Plaintiffs' Lawyers Reap Huge Dividends

For Students 9th - 10th
This writer discusses the buying of justices' impartiality by trial lawyers and calls for tort reform.
+
Activity
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Supreme Court Justices: Anthony Kennedy

For Students 9th - 10th
Good summary of Justice Anthony Kennedy and his accomplishments. Includes a photo and links to other related articles.
+
Website
Other

Streetlaw: Introduction to Law and the Legal System

For Students 9th - 10th
This website, a unit introducing the law and legal system, is organized into six chapters where you can learn about laws, lawmaking, citizen advocacy, dispute settlements, the court system, and lawyers.