SS.912.CG.3.11

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Evaluate how landmark Supreme Court decisions affect law, liberty and the interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.

Clarifications

Clarification 1: Students will recognize landmark Supreme Court cases (e.g., Marbury v. Madison; McCulloch v. Maryland; Dred Scott v. Sandford; Plessy v. Ferguson; Brown v. Board of Education; Gideon v. Wainwright; Miranda v. Arizona; Korematsu v. United States; Mapp v. Ohio; In re Gault; United States v. Nixon; Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier; District of Columbia v. Heller; Schenck v. United States; Brandenburg v. Ohio; Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College).

Clarification 2: Students will explain the foundational constitutional issues underlying landmark Supreme Court decisions related to the Bill of Rights and other amendments.

Clarification 3: Students will explain the outcomes of landmark Supreme Court cases related to the Bill of Rights and other amendments.

General Information
Subject Area: Social Studies
Grade: 912
Strand: Civics and Government
Standard: Demonstrate an understanding of the principles, functions and organization of government.
Date Adopted or Revised: 05/24
Status: State Board Approved

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

Japanese Internment:

In this lesson, students will explain why the U.S. government-imposed restrictions on Japanese-Americans, a special population of U.S. citizens, during World War II, and understand why SCOTUS ruled for the restrictions, rather than enforcing the Bill of Rights.

Type: Lesson Plan

Comparing U.S. Supreme Court cases:

In this lesson plan, students will be comparing two U.S. Supreme court cases of Plessy V Ferguson and Brown V. Board of Education by reading and analyzing the impact in the decisions.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Civil War Has Ended Now What? 14th Amendment:

Students will unpack the 14th Amendment and discuss the impact of the Amendment on citizenship and guaranteed freedoms for African Americans. Then students will explore the consequences of the 14th Amendment and the creation of Jim Crow laws. Students will finish their lesson as they review the key facts of the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court case and determine their ruling on the case. Students will compare their ruling on the case and Supreme Court’s ruling. This is lesson 2 of 3 in a mini-unit integrating civics and US History.

Type: Lesson Plan

Segregation and Integration: Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education (3 of 3):

  • A guided practice will be used to teach the end of segregation in the United States. The guided practice requires students to interact with primary text from the Supreme Court opinion of Brown v. Board of Education.
  • This lesson will be used to demonstrate the end of segregation in the United States and draw a direct comparison between the Supreme Court cases of Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education.

Type: Lesson Plan

Segregation and Integration: Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education (2 of 3):

Students will be placed into small groups to view, analyze, and discuss primary source photos. The photos incorporated will display Jim Crow Laws, segregation, and early forms of protest during the Civil Rights movement. Each photo will require students to provide a brief description and answer questions based off of the primary source images. After the lesson, students will complete a guided practice incorporating primary source text taken from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. This is lesson 2 of 3 in a mini-unit integrating civics and U.S. History.

Type: Lesson Plan

Segregation and Integration: Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education (1 of 3):

Students will be introduced to the practice of segregation through a guided lesson. The guided lesson will include key vocabulary terms necessary for the lesson, the basis of the Supreme Court case of Plessy v. Ferguson, and the establishment of Jim Crow laws. After the lesson, students will complete a guided practice incorporating primary source text taken from the opinion of Plessy v. Ferguson. This is lesson 1 of 3 in a mini-unit integrating civics and U.S. History.

Type: Lesson Plan

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier:

This PowerPoint slideshow is designed to support teachers in delivering direct instruction on the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier landmark Supreme Court case. The accompanying guided notes can be completed by students during instruction.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Anonymous Tip:

In this integrated lesson plan, students will use an interactive program in Scratch to create an informational interactive presentation identifying key factors regarding the impact of Landmark Supreme court cases on the law.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Judicial Branch Tic Tac Toe:

In this lesson plan, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the establishment of the judicial branch, the responsibilities of the court system, and key landmark cases that have impacted the United States. This lesson should be taught after students have had the chance to explore basics about the structures, functions, and processes of the judicial branch as described in Article III of the U.S. Constitution.

Type: Lesson Plan

Civil Rights Road Trip:

Students will go on a "road trip" to learn about events surrounding the Civil Rights Movement while becoming familiar with the geography of the United States.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Judicial Branch: Student Reference Guide:

This lesson will introduce students to the U.S. federal judicial branch. The Supreme Court's power, limitations, and structure are presented in a student-guided presentation.

Type: Lesson Plan

Landmark Supreme Court Cases :

This gallery walk covers landmark Supreme Court cases that may directly impact the lives of students.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Road To Equality:

Students will "think, pair, share" the road to African-American equality based on reading about various U.S. Supreme Court cases and constitutional amendments.

Type: Lesson Plan

Expanding the 14th Amendment :

In this lesson plan, students will read excerpts from Plessy v. Ferguson [1896], Brown v. Board of Education [1954], and Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education [1971] and explain the outcomes of each case using a graphic organizer. Students will receive direct instruction on some historical context and background information of each case to aid in understanding. Students will complete a timeline to illustrate the impact of landmark Supreme Court decisions as it relates to integration and busing. The lesson will conclude with a student analysis of the impact of the Supreme Court cases on integration and busing and how those cases have expanded rights found in the U.S. Constitution 

Type: Lesson Plan

The Judicial Branch in Action:

In this lesson, students will learn about the relationship between state and federal courts and why federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have supreme authority under the Constitution. Students then research and learn about the implications of 3 landmark cases that originated in the state of Florida.

Type: Lesson Plan

Balancing Individual Rights with the Public Good During Wartime:

In this lesson, students will develop a deeper understanding of how the U.S. government balances the rights of individuals with the public good.  Students will learn about the Espionage Act and the Sedition Act and will research the Schenck v. U.S. case of 1919 to explain and evaluate the Court’s ruling in relation to these controversial laws.

Type: Lesson Plan

Landmark Court Cases Speed-Dating:

In this lesson, students will work collaborative to identify key excerpts from landmark Supreme Court cases and evaluate the legal and societal impacts of each case. The landmark cases deal with integration and the rights of the accused, (Dred Scott v. Sandford, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona, and Mapp v. Ohio). 

Type: Lesson Plan

Resolving State versus Federal Issues:

In this lesson plan, students will explain how issues between Florida, other states and the federal government are resolved.

Type: Lesson Plan

Judicial Review :

In this lesson plan, students examine the roles that federal district courts, the courts of appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court play in the judicial review process. Students will explain the relationship between the concept of judicial review and the language of the Supremacy Clause in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. 

Type: Lesson Plan

Extemporaneous Speaking Practice: A Socratic Seminar:

In this lesson intended for the debate classroom, students will read through pivotal court cases in preparation for an Extemporaneous Speaking Socratic Seminar. Teachers will divide their class up into two groups. Each student in each group will get 10 minutes to prep individually after the question has been posted on the board. When prep time is over, the whole group debates using refutation, claim, warrant, data, impact format. They have 15 minutes for each student to make his/her argument.

Type: Lesson Plan

May It Please the Court: Arguing Landmark Cases (Freedom of Speech):

In this lesson plan, students form “legal teams” to learn about and discuss three landmark Supreme Court cases: Tinker v. Des Moines, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, and Texas v. Johnson. Teams present their cases to a student “Supreme Court” and make oral arguments. The Court decides each case and announces its rulings. The teacher reveals the actual rulings and leads a final discussion about the cases.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 5:

Continue learning about Watergate—a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 5 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 3:

Continue learning about Watergate—a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 3 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 4:

Continue learning about Watergate—a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 4 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Civil Rights Road Trip: Part 2 The Southern States:

Travel through the southern United States to visit significant areas of the Civil Rights Movement with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 6:

Learn about the conclusion of the Watergate scandal and President Nixon's term as President of the United States in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 6 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Civil Rights Road Trip: Part 1 Alabama:

Travel around the state of Alabama to learn about three events during the Civil Rights era: the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the 16th Street Church bombing, and the March to Selma with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 2:

Continue learning about Watergate -- a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history--with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 2 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 1:

Learn about Watergate -- a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 1 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Teaching Ideas

Grades 9-12 Civics Family Guide: Standard 3:

This Grades 9-12 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 3 at these grade levels.

Type: Teaching Idea

Tic Tac Toe Board: Landmark Supreme Court Cases:

This Tic Tac Toe activity is intended to allow students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases and to explore the impacts of those cases. 

Type: Teaching Idea

Original Student Tutorials Social Studies - U.S. History - Grades 9-12

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 6:

Learn about the conclusion of the Watergate scandal and President Nixon's term as President of the United States in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 6 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Integrated Social Studies with Civics Original tutorials - Grades 6-12

Civil Rights Road Trip: Part 1 Alabama:

Travel around the state of Alabama to learn about three events during the Civil Rights era: the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the 16th Street Church bombing, and the March to Selma with this interactive tutorial.

Civil Rights Road Trip: Part 2 The Southern States:

Travel through the southern United States to visit significant areas of the Civil Rights Movement with this interactive tutorial.

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 1:

Learn about Watergate -- a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 1 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 2:

Continue learning about Watergate -- a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history--with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 2 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 3:

Continue learning about Watergate—a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 3 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 4:

Continue learning about Watergate—a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 4 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 5:

Continue learning about Watergate—a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 5 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorials

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 5:

Continue learning about Watergate—a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 5 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 3:

Continue learning about Watergate—a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 3 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 4:

Continue learning about Watergate—a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 4 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Civil Rights Road Trip: Part 2 The Southern States:

Travel through the southern United States to visit significant areas of the Civil Rights Movement with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 6:

Learn about the conclusion of the Watergate scandal and President Nixon's term as President of the United States in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 6 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Civil Rights Road Trip: Part 1 Alabama:

Travel around the state of Alabama to learn about three events during the Civil Rights era: the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the 16th Street Church bombing, and the March to Selma with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 2:

Continue learning about Watergate -- a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history--with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 2 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal - Part 1:

Learn about Watergate -- a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 1 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Teaching Idea

Grades 9-12 Civics Family Guide: Standard 3:

This Grades 9-12 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 3 at these grade levels.

Type: Teaching Idea