The court of last resort. Historians research, using current cases and issues, the impact the Supreme Court of the United States has on how our nation operates. They analyze recent decisions made by the nine judges and determine how the media reports and interprets the court's opinion. Working in pairs, class members investigate the judicial branch's highest court, uncovering the differences between majority, plurality, concurring, and dissenting opinions. 

Concepts

the supreme court, supreme court justices, the judicial branch

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Role-play the process of Supreme Court decisions and opinions with the class using a past case
• Extend lesson with a short video on a recent Supreme Court decision

Classroom Considerations

• Online access required for current event exercise if assigning lesson as homework 

Pros

• Lesson creates an opportunity to research current issues, incorporating civics skills into the unit 
• Differentiated instruction included with option of working in pairs or self-guided at teacher discretion 

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.3 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.3