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, 12th graders read various articles and answer questions to these articles.  Students write a letter to their Senator on a...
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Exercising Judicial Power

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
We should all do more exercising, but should the judicial branch as well? High schoolers develop their understanding of what powers the judicial branch carries because of the US Constitution, as well as where their limits lie in the...
Lesson Plan
C-SPAN

The Impact of Citizens United v. FEC

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
What began as an effort to show a movie by an interest group has impacted financing of federal elections. Did the Citizens United case lead to more "dark money" in politics, or did it shine a light with more speech? Using video clips...
Worksheet
Read Works

The United States Constitution

For Students 2nd - 3rd Standards
The US Constitution is the beginning of Americans' rights. Use a five-paragraph passage to give a brief history of the US Constitution. A great last minute addition to a lesson on Constitution Day.
Lesson Plan
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School Improvement in Maryland

Affirmative Action

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Do the government's affirmative action policies promote equity in the United States? The Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution and affirmative action policies come under scrutiny in an activity that asks class members to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Courts in the Classroom: Ritter v Stanton

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students read the case briefs of Ritter v Stanton. They simulate the trial with classmates taking various parts such as appellant, appellee, bailiff, and justices. After conducting a mock argument, they write their own opinion for the case.
Worksheet
Law for Kids

General Election Activity Booklet

For Students 3rd - 7th Standards
It's never too early to practice smart voting! Gain practice voting in a general election using a booklet compiled of an assortment of activities including a word search, maze, graphing, and more!         
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thurgood Marshall Makes a Difference

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students find information about the life and legal career of Thurgood Marshall, including the NAACP and its causes. They comprehend the issues and context of the Brown v. Board of Education case that Marshall argued before the U.S....
Activity
Shmoop

ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.8

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
It is no easy feat to wade through legal and political documents. And incorporating this type of informational text into a literature class can also be a challenge. Here’s a resource that includes suggestions for how to address this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Supreme Court

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the redistricting process.  In this American Government instructional activity, 11th graders examine the electoral map.  Students write an essay posing an argument for the redistricting process. 
Lesson Plan
Carolina K-12

Plessy v. Ferguson & the Roots of Segregation

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How far in the past do the roots of Jim Crow and segregation extend? Young historians closely consider this question using detailed PowerPoint slides as a basis for discussion rather than lecture, culminating in an activity where class...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"A Voice of Moderation and Civility"

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read about, discuss and reflect on the life of retired Justice Lewis Powell, investigating major court decisions he influenced and the impact of his 'voice of moderation and civility to an increasingly polarized (Supreme) court.'
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Just Say It

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the initial Supreme Court decision to regulate commercial speech, and then analyze the legal precedents and principles underlying a recent case contesting this regulation.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: The Constitutional Battleground

For Students 8th - 12th
For this primary source analysis worksheet, students analyze political cartoons about the Supreme Court and Constitutional issues and respond to 5 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gideon v. Wainwright

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the right to counsel and due process. In this Supreme Court lesson, students  examine primary documents from Gideon v. Wainwright and discuss the implications of the decision.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Korematsu v. United States (1944)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine equal protection. In this Supreme Court lesson, students  examine primary documents from Korematsu v. United States and discuss the implications of the decision with regards to Japanese internment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Defining moments from the past with lessons for a post-9/11 world...

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine extension ideas concerning 9/11, Defining Moments. They analyze a variety of Supreme Court cases, the U.S. Constitution, Mass Media Interpretations, Racism, Immigrant groups and U.S. geography. Many questions are asked...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Regents of the U. of California v. Blake

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine affirmative action and equal protection. In this Supreme Court instructional activity, students examine primary documents from Regents of the U. of California v. Blake and discuss the implications of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do Ask? Do Tell?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore debates regarding gay rights following the Supreme Court's Lawrence v. Texas decision. They participate in a fishbowl discussion, exploring questions on marriage, adoption, custody, employment, and military service.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

School Bill of Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the Bill of Rights. As a class, they create a "School Bill of Rights," with amendments. Students discuss the difference between rights and responsibilities and examine Supreme Court decisions dealing with the first ten...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Model Courtroom

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students construct a model of the Supreme Court's courtroom. They design the courtroom in such a way so that the architecture and furnishings in the courtroom represent the neutrality and power of the court.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 8

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students analyze the Fourteenth Amendment. They discuss Reconstruction, read the provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment, define the provisions, and in small groups analyze a Supreme Court case that was impacted by the due process clause.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paul Conrad's Perspective on Civil Rights

For Teachers 11th
 Students review a political cartoon and discuss desegregation.  In this cartoon analysis instructional activity, 11th graders discuss the impact of a political cartoon and its relation to a Supreme Court case.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Burning Hatred

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the constitutionality of various forms of expression; they then take part in a mock trial on the issue of cross burning. Divide the class into three groups; Supreme Court Justices, and two groups that don't agree on this...

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