Classroom Resource

Supreme Decision

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

7, 12

Overview

In this interactive game from iCivics, students work with a case about Ben Brewer, who wore his favorite band t-shirt to school against dress policy. Students will help the Justice make up her mind and influence the outcome of the case. Students will analyze the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and expression, identify protected and unprotected speech, and simulate the deliberation process of Supreme Court Justices. This game can be played during a lesson on the judicial branch and Supreme Court cases for reinforcement or after as an assessment.

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Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 7 - 7th Grade: Civics

SS10.7C.6

Explain the importance of juvenile, adult, civil, and criminal laws within the judicial system of the United States.

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.7C.6

Vocabulary

  • juvenile
  • civil law
  • criminal law
  • rights
  • Bill of Rights
  • rule of law
  • state
  • federal
  • local
  • court
  • offense
  • felony
  • misdemeanor
  • jail
  • prison
  • juvenile detention center

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The similarities and differences between civil and criminal law.
  • The structure of the juvenile court system.
  • The rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use primary source documents to justify the actions of courts.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Laws are different for adults and juveniles and that there are separate civil and criminal laws and courts.
Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 12 - United States Government

SS10.USG.13

Evaluate constitutional provisions of the judicial branch of government of the United States, including checks by the judicial branch on other branches of government, limits on judicial power, and the process by which cases are argued before the United States Supreme Court.

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.USG.13

Vocabulary

  • strict/loose construction
  • impartiality
  • lower court
  • ideology
  • appellate court
  • landmark case
  • jurisdiction
  • judicial review
  • appointment
  • Supreme Court
  • opinion/decision
  • district court

Knowledge

Students know:
  • How key landmark Supreme Court cases influenced the interpretation of constitutional rights of citizens and powers/limitations of American government.
  • The means by which judges interpret the meaning of the Constitution, including strict and loose construction.
  • The organization of the American court system, including the powers and limitations of each level and type of court.
  • The process by which Supreme Court justices are appointed, including the consideration of ideology and how such may impact future decisions.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Identify the effect by which landmark decisions change the interpretation of constitutional provisions and rights.
  • Illustrate the process by which a court case is initiated in a lower level court and can then later be decided by the US Supreme Court.
  • Critique the process by which political ideology becomes a factor in both the appointment process of judges as well as the decision-making process in deciding cases.
  • Analyze an excerpt of a Supreme Court decision to ascertain the constitutional interpretation evident as well as the impact it may have on a constitutional right or provision.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The powers, limitations, and organization of the judicial branch of American government, including how these determine the means by which a case arrives to, is argued before, and is decided upon by the Supreme Court, helps shape the law in the U.S.
Link to Resource
https://www.icivics.org/node/209/resource?referer=curriculum/play/all&page_titl…

CR Resource Type

Interactive/Game

Resource Provider

Other

Resource Provider other

iCivics
Accessibility

Accessibility

Audio resources: includes a transcript or subtitles
Graphics: includes alt tags or long descriptions
Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
License

License Type

CUSTOM

Custom License Type (URL)

https://www.icivics.org/terms-use

Comments or Notes

iCivics is a free resource for teachers. Teachers can register for a free account to access additional resources. They can create a class to assign resources to students.

Approved Date

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