10 Supreme Court Cases Every Teen Should Know, Part 1

1. Set Focus 
Pose this essential question: To what extent does the judicial branch shape the daily life of citizens in the U.S.?

2. Read and Discuss 
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Then ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence:

• What serves as the basis for how the Supreme Court rules? (The Constitution serves as the basis for how the Supreme Court rules. For example, the Court cited the First Amendment when ruling on Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District and the Eighth Amendment when ruling in Roper v. Simmons.)

• In the article, Paul Finkelman says, “Brown was the most important ruling affecting American race relations in a positive way.” Which details in the article help show why Finkelman has this point of view? (The details about how the ruling in Brown not only desegregated schools but also became the legal basis for ending legal segregation in all aspects of life help show why Finkelman has this point of view.)

• Which Supreme Court case discussed in the article do you think has had the greatest impact on your life? Which has had the smallest impact on your life? Explain. (Students’ assessments will vary, but students should clearly and accurately summarize the main points of the cases relevant to their responses.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Assign, print, or project the activity Comparing Cases. Have students use the prompts on the graphic organizer to compare and contrast two of the Supreme Court cases discussed in the article.

4. Writing Prompt
Research a majority or a dissenting opinion for one of the cases discussed in the article. Write an analysis of the rhetoric and text structure used in that opinion.

5. Classroom Debate
Should young suspects be tried as adults when charged with certain crimes?

6. Quiz & Skills
Assess comprehension with the quiz.