Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docsteach: From Dred Scott to Civil Rights Act of 1875: Eighteen Years of Change

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott decision that African-Americans were not citizens of the United States. Yet within 18 years, Black Americans would not only have citizenship, but would be guaranteed the right to...
Lesson Plan
Other

Teach Us History: Indian Removal

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson unit that looks at the efforts of the Cherokee Nation in Georgia between 1817 and 1827 to establish their own system of governance and to keep their lands from being ceded. Even though the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in their...
Graphic
Curated OER

Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts: Joseph Story House

For Students 9th - 10th
Joseph Story (1779-1845) was an influential United States Supreme Court Justice on the John Marshall court. Story's jurisprudence and legal thought were highly influential during his tenure on the court (1811-45). Story lived in the...
Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Stephen Johnson Field

For Students 9th - 10th
Associate justice of the United States Supreme Court and 5th Chief Justice of the California Supreme.
Graphic
Curated OER

Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts: Louis Brandeis House

For Students 9th - 10th
Bought in 1922 by liberal United States Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis (1856-1941), this Cape style house (whose construction dates to the late 19th century) was used by the Brandeis family as a summer retreat.
Graphic
Curated OER

Wikipedia: Natl Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts: Oliver Wendell Holmes House

For Students 9th - 10th
This 1877 frame house was the summer home of United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841-1935). Holmes is known for his longevity on the bench, and his opinions on freedom of speech.
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Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: John Marshall

For Students 9th - 10th
(1755-1835) Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
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Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Roger Brooke Taney

For Students 9th - 10th
(1777-1864) "Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, who gave the decision in the Dred Scott Case." -Foster, 1921
Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Stephen Johnson Field

For Students 9th - 10th
Stephen Johnson Field (November 4, 1816 - April 9, 1899) was an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court from May 20, 1863, to December 1, 1897.
Primary
George Washington University

Nsa: The Pentagon Papers: Secrets, Lies, and Audiotapes

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers an extensive history of the 1971 Pentagon Papers case. Features include transcripts of President Nixon's tapes, White House phone conversations, memoirs, and other primary resources.
Website
CNN

Cnn: How We Got Here: A Timeline of the Florida Recount

For Students 9th - 10th
Very informative timeline that thoroughly explains the events surrounding the disputed Presidential Election of 2000. In particular, this article effectively chronicles the controversy in Florida. 12/2000
Website
US National Archives

Nara: Teaching With Documents: The Amistad Case

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides background information for the Amistad case, several of the actual documents involved in the case, and teaching activities that correlate the information (at the bottom of...
Handout
US Government Publishing Office

U.s. Government Publishing Office: Our American Government, 2000 Edition

For Students 9th - 10th
A popular introductory guide for American citizens and those of other countries who seek a greater understanding of our heritage of democracy. The question-and-answer format covers a broad range of topics dealing with the legislative,...
Unit Plan
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: Brown v Topeka Board of Ed. (1951)

For Students 9th - 10th
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka is widely known as the Supreme Court decision that declared segregated schools to be "inherently unequal." The story behind the case, including that of the 1951 trial in a Kansas courtroom, is much...
Activity
Other

Libraries & First Amendment: Banned Books

For Students 9th - 10th
This overview of censorship in the United States cites Supreme Court decisions and links to a number of other resources. (Date of Article: Sept. 13, 2002)
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Us History: 1945 1980: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the Supreme Court ruling that outlawed school segregation in the United States.
Unit Plan
Syracuse University

Syracuse University: Youth Due Process Gerald Gault

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site contains a description of the juvenile justice system, background on the case involving Gerald Gault, and learning exercises for teachers to use in class.
Article
Other

Louis D. Brandeis School of Law: Harlan's Great Dissent

For Students 9th - 10th
An article from the University of Louisville about Justice John Harlan, who courageously cast the sole dissenting vote in the Plessy vs. Ferguson case, which approved of the principles of separate but equal.
Handout
Other

Potus: William H. Taft

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive facts about William H. Taft and his presidency. Includes biography, election results, cabinet members, odd facts, and notable events.
Activity
Cornell University

Cornell University: Law School: Tort

For Students 9th - 10th
At the Cornell Law School you can read a very simple definition of the legal term "tort" and read about the 1993 Supreme Court case "Smith v. United States."
Article
CNN

Cnn: Seeking to Preserve Miranda Warnings

For Students 9th - 10th
An CNN news article discussing whether or not the Miranda rulings should be kept entact.
Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Charles E. Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
(1862-1948 ) Hughes served as the 36th Governor of New York (1907-1910), Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1910-1916), United States Secretary of State (1921-1925), a judge on the Court of International Justice...
Graphic
Curated OER

Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Illinois: David Davis House

For Students 9th - 10th
Home of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and Abraham Lincoln campaign manager David Davis.
Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: James Wilson

For Students 9th - 10th
James Wilson (September 14, 1742 - August 21, 1798), was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, twice elected to the Continental Congress, a major force in the drafting of the nation's Constitution, a leading legal theoretician and...