The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the original …
The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the original purpose and powers of the Supreme Court according to the Constitution. Students will learn the Supreme Court’s role in preserving the U.S. Constitution and the balance of power it creates. In this lesson, students will learn about the powers of the Supreme Court according to the Constitution through a guided hidden message activity and vocabulary lesson. An extension activity links this understanding of the Court to the development of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison.
Unlike the Presidential Oath of Office, the wording of the Supreme Court …
Unlike the Presidential Oath of Office, the wording of the Supreme Court Oath is not explicitly defined in the text of the United States Constitution. Learn more on this webpage.
The federal judiciary, which includes the Supreme Court as well as the …
The federal judiciary, which includes the Supreme Court as well as the district and circuit courts, is one of three branches of the federal government. This lesson provides an introduction to the Supreme Court.
These activities introduce students, teachers, and families to some of the history …
These activities introduce students, teachers, and families to some of the history and symbolism featured at the Supreme Court of the United States. Recommended for grades 5-12. Downloadable PDFs are available.
The coloring book pages below highlight aspects of Court history and tradition …
The coloring book pages below highlight aspects of Court history and tradition along with some of the notable artworks and architectural features of the interior and exterior of the Supreme Court Building. We hope you have fun coloring while learning about the Court!
Test your detection skills and learn about Chief Justice John Marshall. See …
Test your detection skills and learn about Chief Justice John Marshall. See if you can find 9 differences between Rembrandt Peale’s portrait of Chief Justice John Marshall and a modified version.
Lions are part of the decoration in the Great Hall. See if …
Lions are part of the decoration in the Great Hall. See if you can find 9 differences between two cartoons inspired by the carved marble lions in the Great Hall Frieze.
Look closely and take in the East and West Pediments, the Fraser …
Look closely and take in the East and West Pediments, the Fraser statues flanking the front steps, the Bronze Doors, flagpoles, lampposts, and perimeter medallions.
Explore the highlights of the ground and first floors of the Supreme …
Explore the highlights of the ground and first floors of the Supreme Court Building, including the John Marshall statue, spiral staircases, Great Hall, and Courtroom.
Was the American Revolution inevitable? This lesson is designed to help students …
Was the American Revolution inevitable? This lesson is designed to help students understand the transition to armed resistance and the contradiction in the Americans' rhetoric about slavery through the examination of a series of documents. While it is designed to be conducted over a several-day period, teachers with time constraints can choose to utilize only one of the documents to illustrate the patriots' responses to the actions of the British.
This article for elementary teachers focuses on three tools that allow educators …
This article for elementary teachers focuses on three tools that allow educators to publish to the web for free - Instructional Architect, Filamentality, and TeacherTube. Design hotlists, webquests, scrapbooks, and upload video.
In a series of three brief clips, Larry Kramer, Dean of Stanford …
In a series of three brief clips, Larry Kramer, Dean of Stanford Law School, provides some insights into understanding and teaching various details of the constitution.
Using archival materials, re-creations, and classroom activities, help your students think about …
Using archival materials, re-creations, and classroom activities, help your students think about which aspects of everyday life have changed and which have stayed the same.
This lesson plan introduces students to Thomas Edison's life and inventions. It …
This lesson plan introduces students to Thomas Edison's life and inventions. It asks students to compare and contrast life around 1900 with their own lives and helps students understand the connections between the technological advancements of the early twentieth century and contemporary society and culture.
This article is an overview of the life of Henry David Thoreau …
This article is an overview of the life of Henry David Thoreau and his acts of civil disobedience. Access to this resource requires a free educator login.
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