Curated OER
First Things First: Using the Newspaper to Teach the Freedoms of the First Amendment
Students use the newspaper as a tool to make connections about what the five freedoms guarantee in the First Amendment. For this first amendment lesson plan, students analyze events in the newspaper to form conclusions about the freedoms...
Curated OER
You Be the Judge
Students research and evaluate a case considered by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. They watch a Bill Moyers video, conduct a debate, and write about the decision they would make if they were a...
Curated OER
Supreme Court in Our Lives: Key Cases
Learners analyze Supreme Court decisions and their effect on students. They discuss current events realted to the U.S. Constitution and review cases that impact learners. They identify each case with its facts, issues, and arguments.
Curated OER
Supreme Court: Background
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...
Curated OER
History of Supreme Court
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...
Curated OER
The Formation and Function of the Supreme Court
Students 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.
This Nation
This nation.com: Dred Scott v. Sanford (1856)
This site from ThisNation.com provides Chief Justice Roger B. Taney's full text of the Supreme Court's decision in this landmark case.
This Nation
This nation.com: New York Times Co. V. Sullivan (1964)
This site from ThisNation.com provides Justice William J. Brennan, Jr.'s full text of the Supreme Court's decision in this landmark case.
This Nation
This nation.com: Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
The full text of Chief Justice Earl Warren's decision in this landmark Supreme Court case.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: The Supreme Court
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...
University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma Law Library: Federalist Papers
The complete text of the 85 Federalist Papers which explained why the authors believed the new Constitution should be ratified.
This Nation
This nation.com: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
This site from ThisNation.com provides Justice Henry B. Brown's full text of the Supreme Court's decision in this landmark case, written by Henry B. Brown.
Other
Schs: The History of the Court
Find a summary of each Supreme Court from the Jay Court, 1789-1795, through the Rehnquist Court, 1986-2005. Read about the major decisions and what was happening in the country at the time.
Other
The Supreme Court Historical Society
Beautiful site that illustrates the history and heritage of the Supreme Court. In addition, site provides information on how the Court works, the Justices, and its opinions.
Other
Certiorari Practice: The Supreme Court's Shrinking Docket
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...
PBS
Pbs: How the Supreme Court Affects the Lives of Teens (Lesson Plan)
Objectives for this lesson include describing the structure and function of the Supreme Court, looking at important decisions, and discussing recent rulings and issues.
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Formation and Function of the Supreme Court
Correlated to National Standards, this two-period lesson plan presents students with an understanding of the history, make-up, and role of the Supreme Court, while providing a summary of notable court rulings.
New York Times
New York Times: Changes at the u.s. Supreme Court
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...
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
Oyez Project
The OYEZ Project is a vast multimedia relational database on the U.S. Supreme Court that contains abstracts for all leading constitutional decisions of the Court, authoritative oral arguments in streamed media format, and a 360-degree...
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.
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: The Supreme Court in Action
This tutorial looks at eight famous cases that were heard in the Supreme Court in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. It examines each case, the results, and the ramifications of each decision. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
Other
Supreme Court of the United States
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...
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Ruth Bader Ginsburg
A biography of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Supreme Court Justice. She was one of the first female attorneys and fought gender inequality for much of her career as a lawyer, even arguing cases before the Supreme Court prior to herself taking a...