This lesson will place students in the role of a Supreme Court judge! Students will analyze eight fictitious scenarios based upon actual Supreme Court cases. Drawing upon a judicial mindset-- students are to predict which Constitutional Amendments apply to each case, and then debate the central question of each case. See examples below;

Scenario #2:

• What protection(s)/Amendment(s) are involved?
• Should the students at the high school football game be able to have a public prayer at the games? Explain.
• Did the Court make the right decision? Why or why not?

Scenario #7:

• What protection(s)/Amendment(s) are involved?
• Was is constitutional for the school official to search Sara's purse? Explain.
• Did the Court make the right decision? Why or why not?

This activity can be used in two ways;

1. An assessment- students will apply their prior knowledge concerning the United States’ Constitutional amendments, along with their own ethics and logic, to Supreme Court decisions, or...

2. Application and Understanding: Using the provided cheat sheet, students will be introduced to the Bill of Rights, and its' application to Supreme Court cases.

Materials Include:

• 24 Slide Presentation
• Guided Notes Handout & Answer Key
• 'Bill of Rights' Cheat Sheet

If you liked this lesson, see other related 'Government' lessons here:

• Mock Trial: Class Preparation (My BEST Seller)
• The Debate on Affirmative Action: Exploring Two Sides of the Issue
• Controversy and the Criminal Justice System (Eric Garner Case)
• The 'Bill of Rights' Time Travel
• Proposing a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
• Analyzing the Declaration of Independence & U.S. Constitution
• Post Zombie Apocalypse: What Form of Government Would YOU Create?

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