Meet the Supremes Teacher's Guide

Lesson Plan

This document offers teachers a “quick peek” at the background, arguments, decisions, and rationale for some landmark Supreme Court cases. The cases are organized into four thematic categories and include links to mini-lessons on specific cases where available. The Guide also provides the general learning objectives for all of the mini-lessons found in the Landmark Library.

Teacher Resources

Get access to lesson plans, teacher guides, student handouts, and other teaching materials.

Meet the Supremes Teacher's Guide & Supreme Court Summaries | How to Use

Meet the Supremes Teacher's Guide & Supreme Court Summaries | First Amendment, due process, and 14th Amendment Cases

Meet the Supremes Teacher's Guide & Supreme Court Summaries | Interpretation of federal law and individual versus national interests cases

Meet the Supremes Teacher's Guide & Supreme Court Summaries | Cases that clarify Constitutional rights or powers

I find the materials so engaging, relevant, and easy to understand – I now use iCivics as a central resource, and use the textbook as a supplemental tool. The games are invaluable for applying the concepts we learn in class. My seniors LOVE iCivics.

Lynna Landry , AP US History & Government / Economics Teacher and Department Chair, California

Related Resources

Lesson Plan

Bethel School District v. Fraser (1986)

This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that established a school's ability to prohibit inappropriate student language on campus. Students learn about the First Amendment right of free speech, and explore the many different ways the Supreme Court has interpreted it.
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Lesson Plan

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court’s decision that overturned “separate but equal” in public schools. Students learn about segregation and “equality under the law,” and they use what they learned to craft compound sentences following a structured format.
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Lesson Plan

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

This mini-lesson covers the Supreme Court’s decision about limiting government restrictions on campaign contributions. Students learn about campaign finance, Super PACs, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold Act), and the First Amendment. Students compare campaign tactics, and evaluate the cost and effectiveness of reaching a large audience.
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Lesson Plan

Clapper v. Amnesty International (2013)

This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court’s decision that determined the government’s ability to conduct electronic surveillance of its citizens. Students learn about the First Amendment right to free speech, the Fourth Amendment protection from unreasonable searches, national security, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Students evaluate different forms of government monitoring, and provide their perspective on whether government surveillance is a necessity for national security, or a violation of people’s privacy and individual rights.
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Lesson Plan

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court decision that determined Dred Scott, having lived in a free territory, was not entitled to his freedom. Students learn about the impact of the Court’s decision, and how it was a stepping-stone to the Civil War. Students also examine the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments which overturned the decision, and the black codes that were passed in some states.
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Lesson Plan

EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch (2015)

This mini-lesson explores the Supreme Court’s decision regarding a company’s discrimination against a Muslim woman during the hiring process. Students learn how Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits workplace discrimination, and then they identify religious discrimination in multiple workplace scenarios.
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Lesson Plan

Elk v. Wilkins (1884)

This mini-lesson examines the Supreme Court’s ruling that the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause did not apply to American Indians born on Native reservations. Students analyze a primary document and discover how the lack of citizenship affected the lives and cultures of Native Americans.
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Lesson Plan

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court’s decision that interpreted the Commerce and Supremacy Clauses of the U.S. Constitution and affirmed the federal government’s superiority with regard to its enumerated powers. Students learn about the dispute between Gibbons and Ogden, the meaning of the Commerce and Supremacy clauses, and who wins when state and federal powers collide.
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Lesson Plan

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court’s decision that gave defendants in state criminal courts the right to a lawyer. Students learn about the 6th Amendment right to a lawyer, why the right is important, and how the right led to the existence of public defenders. Students then identify other cases in which the Supreme Court extended important rights of the accused to the state level.
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Lesson Plan

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court’s decision that established a school principal’s right to censor student articles in the school newspaper. Students learn about the limits on student free speech in a school environment. Then they examine the issue of censorship and the reasons for imposing it.
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