The "Supreme" in Supreme Decision
In this lesson, students compare Ben Brewer's fictional case in "Supreme Decision" with a real-life case involving a student. They also look at a variety of historic landmark cases to understand why precedents and judicial review are important in peoples' everyday lives.
*Special Note* We are working on a replacement for the now-retired Supreme Decision game referenced in the lesson plan. The lesson can still be used by focusing on Savanna's story. Her reading and the following activities are all independent of the game.
Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
Supreme in Supreme Court_Lesson Plan.pdf
Supreme in Supreme Court_StudentDocs.pdf
Supreme in Supreme Decision_Fillable PDFs.zip
Appellate Courts: Let's Take It Up
Students learn the purpose of appellate-level courts and how those courts operate differently from the trial courts most people are familiar with from watching television. By following the case of a real middle school girl who was strip searched at school, students find out what happens when someone takes a case all the way to the Supreme Court. Through this case, students learn about the structure of the federal court system and the way appellate courts decide cases.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
Argue real Supreme Court cases, and put your lawyering skills to the test.
Argument Wars Extension Pack
Make your students' game play more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically for Argument Wars. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts. That means deeper learning for students, and best practices around game-centered learning for you!
Navigate our court system and guide citizens to the right place.
Court Quest Extension Pack
Make your students' game play more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically for Court Quest. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts. That means deeper learning for students, and best practices around game-centered learning for you! This Extension Pack uses Google Slides and is designed for use with projectors or interactive whiteboards.
Double Take: The Dual Court System
Does your state court system feel oddly similar to our federal one? Chances are it does, but there may still be some differences. In this lesson, students learn how our country came to have a dual court system and explore how the state and federal levels of that system work. But wait, there's more! Reinforce key concepts using our Kahoot!Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
Our Judicial Branch has a big job! Do you think you have what it takes to be a judge and get the job done?
Interpreting the Constitution
Students learn that you can't take constitutional language at face value. Those phrases we read in the Bill of Rights, such as "cruel and unusual punishment" or being a "witness" against yourself, have specialized meaning based on years of interpretation by the Supreme Court.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
James Bond in a Honda: Trial Simulation Lesson
Students participate in a scripted fictional trial based on a real case in which the producers of James Bond films sued Honda for creating an ad that looked way too much like a James Bond movie. Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!