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Ben's Guide: Judicial Branch

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In the comment section, write facts you found most interesting.

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Teach students facts about the Supreme Court and how it works.

Learn how to research for a case and build an argument.

Practice public speaking.

Learn the importance the Supreme Court has on their lives.

Standards:

NCSS Standard: VI. Power, Authority, & Government

NCSS Standard: X. Civic Ideals & Practices

Time Required: 1-2 days

Recommended Grade Level: 4-8

Topics: Government, History
Preparations Activities
Use the infographic to present the role of the Supreme Court, how it works, the types of cases that reach the Supreme Court, and any background information on this institution.

Brainstorm with your class possible cases that may reach the Supreme Court, cases students are interested in. Some examples:
1. Choose Your Case Activity

1. Changing the voting age

2. Paying college athletes

3. Homework at school should not be legal

4. Access to free college education

5. A school or local issue

Choose up to three cases from the list (or others that the students may be interested in) and divide the class into groups and assign a role based on the participants in the Courtroom.

Attorneys are assigned cases to argue in favor and against the case.

Choose nine students to represent the Justices that will examine the arguments and decide over the case.

Other roles and tasks to the rest of the class.

Have students start planning their arguments and instruct them to dress accordingly to their role.

Homework: Give students this worksheet where they can learn about arguing, and use to prepare their case.

Organize your classroom for a mockup courtroom session. Then students will represent their parts:

the Marshal calls the Court to order, maintain decorum in the courtroom,

time the oral, presentations, etc.;

the attorneys argue their cases;

the Justices ask questions.

2. Courtroom Session
After the cases are argued and heard, the Justices will review and discuss the arguments. The decision will be announced to the class.

Homework: Have the students write a short summary of the case. The basics, the arguments for and against and the court's decision and why they thought that way.

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Teach students facts about the Supreme Court and how it works. Learn how to research for a case and build an argument. Practice public speaking. Learn the importance the Supreme Court has on their lives. Standards: NCSS Standard: VI. Power, Authority, & Government NCSS Standard: X.

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Sonya Sotomayor is sworn in as a Supreme Court justice. For more on this story go to http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=8282294

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Lesson Plan

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Print this Teacher Guide
Teacher Guide

Sonia Sotomayor

Comics are powerful differentiation tools to help kinesthetic learners, struggling readers, and all students retain information from history.

Getting Started

Students can review the below activities, read teacher-provided texts, complete a research project, or discuss in class to learn about Sonia Sotomayor. The opening discussion can be used as a starting point for reading and/or research activities.

Opening Discussion

Start a KW(H)L chart:

What do you already know about Sonia Sotomayor?

What would you like to know about Sonia Sotomayor?

How could you learn more about Sonia Sotomayor?

Activities:

Teacher Tips

Import an activity into your teacher dashboard simply by clicking Import this Activity.

Edit the activity in any way you see fit, to suit your class.

Assign the activity directly to your students by clicking Save & Assign to Group.

Character Map

Complete after class discussion, research or reading.
View Activity

Career

Complete after class discussion, research or reading.
View Activity

Court Cases

Complete after class discussion, research or reading.
View Activity

Mind Map (Extension / Modification)

Choose one of Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court rulings and illustrate the main events and concepts in a Mind Map.

Timeline (Extension / Modification)

Create a Timeline of Sonia Sotomayor's adult life and childhood.

Concluding Discussion

Discuss the following:

Complete the (L) column of the KW(H)L chart from the opening discussion to share what students have learned about Sonia Sotomayor.

Many people believe having just one month dedicated to latino history is problematic. Do you agree or disagree?

Many people believe having just one month dedicated to women's history is problematic. Do you agree or disagree?

How can you better incorporate black history and women's history into daily history throughout the year?

Why is it important to have a latino woman as a Supreme Court Judge?

Why is it important to have diversity within the Supreme Court?

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Print this Teacher Guide Comics are powerful differentiation tools to help kinesthetic learners, struggling readers, and all students retain information from history. Getting Started Students can review the below activities, read teacher-provided texts, complete a research project, or discuss in class to learn about Sonia Sotomayor.

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Source: MoveOn.org

In your opinion, what does this quote mean to you?

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A judge from the Bronx
A bilingual book
In the comment section, write a brief review of this book.

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Book Activities & Questions

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Watch a video about Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

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Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor on Sesame St to Discuss Career Women  (2012)

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Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor on Sesame Street to Discuss Career Women (November 9, 2012).wmv