The lesson opens with reflective questions that ask students to consider their knowledge of famous Supreme Court cases and rulings, the issues that the Court addressed last term and the last term’s impact, and potential issues that the Court may address during this term. Students then watch, analyze, and respond to an introductory video in which Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer talks about the process that the Supreme Court uses to select cases each term. Next, students engage in an activity where they choose to study three cases that will be argued in front of the Supreme Court during this term. Students will conduct additional self-guided research as needed to determine each case’s petitioner(s) and respondent(s), key issue(s), expected outcome, facts of the case, and question(s) before the court, presenting their findings to the class.
Bell Ringer: Justice Amy Coney Barrett on Legal Analysis and Originalism
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett talked about the different between original public meaning and original intent, the use of history in legal analysis, the legal analysis of unenumerated rights, and why she is an originalist.
Bell Ringer: Justice Amy Coney Barrett on the Shadow Docket
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett talked about the Court’s emergency docket, also known as the shadow docket. Justice Barrett spoke at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia with president & CEO Jeffrey Rosen.
AP U.S. Government and Politics Featured Resources Collection
This is a collection of lesson plans and bell ringers that support the AP U.S. Government and Politics course. They are organized by unit, include required Supreme Court cases as well as practice Free Response prompts and review resources.
Civic Online Reasoning Curriculum
Students are confused about how to evaluate online information. We all are. The Civic Online Reasoning curriculum provides free lessons and assessments that help you teach students to evaluate online information that affects them, their communities, and the world.
Women’s Fight for Suffrage
Learn about women’s fight for the right to vote in the United States including major leaders and strategies of the women’s suffrage movement.
Traditions of the Senate: Senate Decorum
For more than 200 years, the United States Senate has held certain traditions and customs that Senators follow in order to work together in Congress. Learn about Senate decorum, or the rules about how senators behave as they work. Then, use the worksheet to make some family rules.
Activist Spotlight: Gary Anderson and the Recycling Movement
Read about how one person took a small step that made a big difference in the recycling movement. Then, use the worksheet to make a difference in your home.
Issue Investigation: Fracking
This Issue Investigation explores fracking, a way of using high-pressured liquid, sand, and chemicals to crack rock far underground and remove oil, coal, and gas. Some people think fracking is a great way for energy production and jobs. Other people think fracking is dangerous for the environment and public health.
Youth Action: Climate Guide
In this guide you can find out more about three key figures in the global youth climate change movement who inspire us all, and four youth organizations that are taking steps to ensure that you can still safely contribute to the fight during the COVID-19 pandemic.