Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Supreme Court Nominations

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson teaches the fundamentals of Supreme Court Justice nominations and helps learners understand the politics behind the nominations.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Mc Culloch v. Maryland

For Students 9th - 10th
Students learn about the landmark case McCulloch v. Maryland, in which the Supreme Court clarified what kinds of actions Congress can take under the "necessary and proper" clause. Students find out what events led to this case, look at...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Sources of Law

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson teaches students about the sources, types, and unique systems of law that exist in the United States. They learn about sources of law from the Constitution to local ordinances and also compare and contrast civil and criminal...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Judicial Branch in a Flash!

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson plan, students learn the basics of our judicial system, including the functions of the trial court, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. They also learn how a case moves up through these levels and discover that...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Interpreting the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars analyze real-life cases interpreting the 8th and 5th amendments to see whether they interpret the Bill of Rights the same way the Supreme Court did and discover how tricky interpreting the Constitution really is.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Appellate Courts: Let's Take It Up

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn what happens in appellate-level courts and how those courts operate differently from the trial courts most people are familiar with from watching television. They find out what happens when someone takes a case all the way...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Appellate Courts: You Be the Judge (Simulation)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this judicial conference simulation, students learn the path of a Supreme Court case from writ of certiorari to majority opinion and what justices do along the way.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Slavery: No Freedom, No Rights

For Teachers 9th - 10th
From the basics about slavery to the attitudes that defended it and the efforts of those who wanted to see it abolished, in this lesson students learn about this dark part of America's past.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Voting Matters Activity

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will learn about how registration and voting works in their state, and create a flyer to share with someone in their life.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Mini Lesson: Pardon Power

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Lesson teaches about presidential pardons, commutations, and the limitations of these powers.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Mini Lesson: Presidential Appointments

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars learn about unilateral presidential appointments, nominations, and the Senate confirmation process.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Taxation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson teaches the basics of taxes: what they are, who pays them, what kinds exist, and what they're used for. Learners learn how people's income is taxed, how much revenue taxes generate, and how taxes and government services are...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Constitution Day Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This interactive instructional activity gives students a quick snapshot of the Constitution, including the purpose of each article, the powers of the three branches, how a bill becomes a law, and the concepts of separation of powers and...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Civil War & Reconstruction

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The Civil War and Reconstruction Era brought about the end of slavery and the expansion of civil rights to African Americans through the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. Compare the Northern and Southern states, discover the concepts of...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that extended marriage rights to same-sex couples. Students learn about the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses, and how the Court's interpretation...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Loving v. Virginia (1967)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that struck down state bans on interracial marriage. Students learn about the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, and its use in court cases to challenge a range of...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Elk v. Wilkins (1884)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-lesson examines the Supreme Court's ruling that the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause did not apply to American Indians born on Native reservations. Learners analyze a primary document and discover how the lack of citizenship...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Eeoc v. Abercrombie & Fitch (2015)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-lesson explores the Supreme Court's decision regarding a company's discrimination against a Muslim woman during the hiring process. Students learn how Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits workplace...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association (1988)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-instructional activity examines the Supreme Court case that pitted the interests of government economic projects against the religious rights of American Indians. Students learn about the religious protections of the First...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: United States v. Virginia (1996)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that found the Virginia Military Institute'discriminations male-only admission policy discriminated against women. Students learn about the 14th Amendment's Equal...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Pga Tour, Inc. V. Martin (2001)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-lesson explores the Supreme Court's decision that required the Professional Golf Association to accommodate competitors with disabilities in its tournaments. Students learn about the Americans with Disabilities Act, the...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Lau v. Nichols (1974)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-lesson plan covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that required public schools to provide language supports to English and multilingual learners. Students learn how Lau's arguments relate to the landmark case, Brown...
Unit Plan
iCivics

I Civics: International Affairs

For Students 9th - 10th
Students learn about the complex interactions that exist in our globalized world. They examine the evolution of diplomacy and international interdependence by looking at recent and historical global events. It includes games and...
Interactive
iCivics

I Civics: Race to Ratify

For Students 9th - 10th
This simulation game set in the 1780s focuses on the ratification of the Constitution.