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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Grutter v. Bollinger

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A university decides not to allow a qualified scholar to enter its institution based on skin and gender—but this case is about a white female? The 2003 Supreme Court case Grutter v. Bollinger lays the foundation for open discussion and...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Edgewood ISD v. Kirby

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Have you ever wondered where the money comes from to pay for your school, teachers, supplies, and building? The 1989 Supreme Court case Edgewood ISD v. Kirby lays a framework for open discussion on the funding of public schools. Using a...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Tinker v. Des Moines

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Freedom of speech allows anyone, even those in school, to say and do what they feel—right? The 1969 Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines serves as the backdrop for a study on First Amendment rights. Scholars use a short video along...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Gideon v. Wainwright

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How does a trial begin without a lawyer for the defendant? The 1963 Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright serves as the backdrop for the study of the rights of the accused. Scholars use a short video along with paired discussion and...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Mapp v. Ohio

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Do you have a search warrant? Scholars investigate the concept of illegal search and seizure through the eyes of the Supreme Court case Mapp v. Ohio. A short video clip along with paired group work opens discussion on the concept of how...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Brown v. Board of Education

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
You walk each day over 20 blocks to school as a 9-year old because the color of your skin does not allow you to attend a school in your own neighborhood. Scholars use the 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education to investigate...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Mendez v. Westminster and Delgado v. Bastrop ISD

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
You arrive at school only to be told you have no place there. Scholars research the Supreme Court cases Mendez v. Westminster and Delgado v. Bastrop ISD, both dealing with school segregation. Two short video clips as well as small group...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Marbury v. Madison

For Teachers 8th Standards
Who has the final say in matters dealing with the rules under the United States Constitution? The case Marbury v. Madison brings to light the issue of judicial review. Learners investigate the Supreme Court's opinion in the case with a...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Gibbons v. Ogden

For Teachers 8th Standards
Have you ever played the game Monopoly? Do you know what it takes to win the game correctly? Scholars research the nature of outlawing monopolies in the United States while controlling trade. They investigate the court case Gibbons v....
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Dred Scott v. Sandford

For Teachers 8th Standards
Who decides someone is not a real person? Scholars investigate the Dred Scott v. Sandford court case which deals directly with slavery and citizenship. After viewing a short video clip, classmates work in pairs to assess and discuss the...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Texas v. Johnson

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
If you saw a person burning an American flag, how would you feel? Scholars analyze the concept of freedom of expression and speech with the Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson. A short video clip creates open discussion in pairs on the...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

White v. Regester

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
One vote doesn't really matter, right? Class members investigate the concept of voter rights and restrictions using the 1973 Supreme Court case White v. Regester. They view a short video and work in pairs to analyze how people create...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Roe v. Wade

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
At what point does the right of privacy end and the government begin? Scholars research rights under the Ninth Amendment to the Constitution. Using the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case as a starting point, along with small group work...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Wisconsin v. Yoder

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How far does freedom of religion truly go? The 1972 Supreme Court case Wisconsin v. Yoder introduces the concept of the free exercise clause of the First Amendment. Individuals examine the case with a short video and open discussion. To...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Miranda v. Arizona

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
You have the right to remain silent—but why? Scholars analyze the nature of what has become known as the Miranda Rights. A short video along with paired group work and discussion opens the issue of the rights of the accused upon arrest....
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Engel v. Vitale

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Can you bow your head and pray in school? Scholars investigate the issue of school prayer with the Supreme Court case Engel v. Vitale. A short video clip along with paired group work helps viewers form opinions on the matter. They answer...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Baker v. Carr

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Can the federal government override the state government to protect the citizens of the United States? The 1962 Supreme Court case Baker v. Carr outlines the issue of equal protection under the law. Scholars investigate with a short...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Hernandez v. Texas

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What if the jury is not made up of people from your ethnicity or background—are they still considered your peers? Scholars analyze the impact the Supreme Court case Hernandez v. Texas had on jury selection across the nation. Paired...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Sweatt v. Painter

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Is separate but equal actually equal? The 1950 Supreme Court case Sweatt v. Painter discusses the law of segregation and inequality. Scholars investigate the impact of the case on the desegregation of public schools across the nation...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Schenck v. US

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Freedom of speech is absolute—or is it? The Supreme Court case Schenck v. United States has learners research what free speech really looks like. A short video along with paired work creates open discussion and thought on what speech is...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Plessy v. Ferguson

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Where did separate but equal originate and what does it mean? Scholars investigate the Supreme Court Case Plessy v. Ferguson. Using a short video clip, they analyze the impact the decision of legal segregation had on society in 1896....
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

McCullough v. Maryland

For Teachers 8th Standards
Can a state government tax the federal government? The Supreme Court case McCullough v. Maryland explores different governments in the United States. Scholars research the court's decision with a video and discussion. They formulate...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Worcester v. Georgia

For Teachers 8th Standards
Can the president of the United States defy the rulings of the Supreme Court? Students investigate the case of Worcester v. Georgia and the impact it had on society and, most importantly, Native Americans. Using a short video clip as...