+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine warrantless searches and due process. For this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from Mapp v. Ohio and discuss the implications of the decision.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Powers of Mom: Understanding the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Power

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders examine the powers of each branch of the government. They analyze the causes and effects of relationships within the government. They participate in activities to help them comprehend the material.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The "Big Four" of the Michigan Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

iCivics: Executive Command

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the role of President of the United States. In this executive branch lesson plan, students play an online game that requires them to consider the needs of Americans as they act as president.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who or What is Un-American?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore concepts about civil liberties, research the history of sedition-related legislation in the U.S. and create a position paper on the topic.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

How Did That Get There?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students evaluate the role of government in addressing land use and other environmental issues. They analyze the powers, responsibilities, and limitations of elected and appointed officials in the national legislative, executive, and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Successful Deaf Leaders in Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research branches and agencies of state government to further explain how legislation and initiatives impact Deaf community. They conduct email interviews with Deaf government leaders, and create electronic portfolios.
+
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...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine student search and seizure. In this Supreme Court lesson plan, students examine primary documents from New Jersey v. T.L.O. and discuss the implications of the decision.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Just how broken is the Senate?

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders examine the role of the Senate in the United States.  In this American Government lesson plan, 12th graders read various articles and answer questions to these articles.  Students write a letter to their Senator on a...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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

Due Process: Is It Always Due?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the basic Constitutional protections of due process and then consider the balance of these basic protections with issues of national security. A variety of segments of U.S. Supreme Court cases are examined in this...
+
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...
+
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...
+
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....
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landmark Supreme Court Cases and the Constitution: National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie (1977)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the impact of court decisions. For this Supreme Court lesson, students read the National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie (1977) case study regarding First Amendment Rights. Students take notes on the case...
+
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...
+
Graphic
USA.gov

How The Supreme Court Works

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Just how does a case come before the highest court in the land? A graphic flow chart unpacks how plaintiffs come before the Supreme Court. Graphics include background on the nine justices and just how many cases they actually hear each...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Formation and Function of the Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Checks and Balances in Supreme Court Nominations

For Teachers 7th - 11th
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...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. Constitution - Checks and Balances

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine the separation of powers of the branches of the U.S. federal government. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students listen to a SMART Board supported lecture on checks and balances of the Judicial, Legislative, and...
+
Unit Plan
YMCA

Turning Courtrooms into Classrooms

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Turn the class into the next episode of Law & Order! Scholars work together to create a mock trial over the course of several weeks before going before a judge for the case performance. They take on different roles, go through...