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Lesson Plan 3:

Supreme Court Rulings

Civics/Government Standard

Benchmark 2, Indicator 4

Explains the importance of shared political and civic values and beliefs to the maintenance of a government by constitution in a diverse American society. (i.e, freedoms and responsibilities within the Bill of Rights, civil rights amendments and other documents related to our government by constitution)

Benchmark 3, Indicator 1

Describes the purposes, organization, and function of the three branches of government and independent regulatory agencies in relation to the US Constitution.

 

Grade Level: 10th

Description:

The objective is to familiarize students with the United States Constitution and the Amendments to the Constitution, and to also give an in depth opportunity to utilize the media center resources.

Goal: In our changing society it is important for students to be knowledgeable concerning the potential flow of Supreme Court decisions by the high court.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate, through role play, knowledge of which constitutional amendments apply to criminal law and which apply to civil law.

2. Explain how the constitution affords protection to them.

3. Identify resources that are relevant to their research.

Materials:

Library media center (books, fax, computer, fiche etc.) Text books County Law Library County Library Local attorneys

Procedures:

1. Students divide into small groups.

2. The groups will be randomly assigned an Amendment to the United States Constitution.

3. Each group must develop a scenario which will challenge the Amendment.

4. They must present their case, as they developed it, either pro or con, as another group sits as judges.

5. The judging group must write an opinion and make a ruling utilizing materials presented, and their own knowledge of the Constitution and any research that time would allow.

Tying it all Together: After video taping student presentations, the class will critique each presentation. A local attorney could view and critique the presentation and offer constructive criticism.

This lesson plan was found at http://www.col-ed.org/ cur/sst/ sst215.txt, and was submitted to that site by Rex Hefner, Okemah High School; Okemah, Oklahoma.