×
<< BACK TO THE TEACH HUB

Supreme Court Nominations

Lesson Plan

This lesson plan teaches the fundamentals of Supreme Court Justice nominations and helps students understand the politics behind the nominations. It challenges students to cut through the politics and compare nominees’ judicial philosophies and includes an optional extension for students to research and analyze the controversial nominations and confirmation processes of Robert Bork, Harriet Miers, and Merrick Garland.

iCivics en español! Student and class materials for this lesson are available in Spanish.

Pedagogy Tags

Teacher Resources

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

Supreme Court Nominations Lesson Plan - 1
Supreme Court Nominations Lesson Plan - 2
Supreme Court Nominations Lesson Plan - 3

Related Resources

  • Lesson Plan

    A Very Big Branch

    In A Very Big Branch, students learn that there's more to the executive branch than just the president! Students explore the roles and responsibilities of the presidential cabinet and executive departments and agencies.
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Appellate Courts: Let's Take It Up

    Students learn the purpose of appellate-level courts and how those courts operate differently from the trial courts most people are familiar with from watching television. By following the case of a real middle school girl who was strip searched at school, students find out what happens when someone takes a case all the way to the Supreme Court. Through this case, students learn about the structure of the federal court system and the way appellate courts decide cases.
    View kami
  • Game

    Argument Wars

    Argue real Supreme Court cases, and put your lawyering skills to the test.
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Argument Wars Extension Pack

    Make your students’ game play more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically for Argument Wars. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts. That means deeper learning for students, and best practices around game-centered learning for you!  
    View kami
  • WebQuest

    Being President

    Ever wondered what it would be like to be President of the United States? Find out what the president does every day, who the president's helpers are, and how the president's job affects your life.
    View
  • Game

    Branches of Power

    Learn to control all three branches of the U.S. government!
    View
  • Game

    Branches of Power

    Learn to control all three branches of the U.S. government!
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Cabinet Building

    The president isn’t alone when it comes to the day to day work of the Executive Branch. This lesson takes a look at the history of the presidential cabinet, how the cabinet is built through the confirmation process, and why this elite group of people matter to you. 
    View kami
  • Game

    Convene the Council

    Step inside the Situation Room and take on the role of president responding to international events.
    View
  • Game

    Court Quest

    Navigate our court system and guide citizens to the right place.
    View

See how it all fits together!

View Scope and Sequence