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 =US Supreme Court: History of Landmark Decisions = = = = = =Introduction = In this unit students will examine the role of the US Supreme Court in interpreting our constitution. Students will research landmark Supreme Court cases and be able to determine what effect these decisions have had on the American people.

=Learning Objectives=
 * Describe how responsibilities are shared and limited by the United States and Illinois Constitutions and significant court decisions.
 * Compare historical issues involving rights, roles and status of individuals in relation to municipalities, states and the nation.
 * Describe ways in which a diverse U.S. population has developed and maintained common beliefs (e.g., life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.)

=Content= By the end of his unit students will be able to answer the question: "How is the U.S. Constitution a living document?"

Students will also be able to answer the following unit and content questions:
 * How has the U.S. Constitution changed over the years?
 * What are some benefits and limitations of the U.S. Constitution?
 * Are there any changes that can still be made to the U.S. Constitution? [[image:supreme%20Court.jpg width="265" height="391" align="right"]]
 * Why is the Supreme Court a important branch of the U.S. government?
 * What is the U.S. Constitution?
 * What is the Bill of Rights?
 * What is an Amendment?
 * What is the Judicial branch?
 * What is a landmark decision?

Students will develop 21st Century skills by:
 * Framing, analyzing, and synthesizing information in order to solve problems and answer questions.
 * Demonstrating ability to work effectively with diverse teams
 * Accessing information efficiently and effectively, evaluating information critically and competently and using information accurately and creatively for the issue or problem at hand
 * Using digital technology, communication tools and/or networks appropiately to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information in order to function in a knowledge economy
 * Using technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate and communicate information, and the possession of a fundamental understanding of the ethical/ legal issues surrounding the access and use of information

=Process= The unit consists of eight forty-five minute class periods described below:

Day One: Students are given a learning activity which they have to determine whether certain disciplinary interpetations of school rules are fair. Day Two: Students are introduced to the role of the Judicial branch in the U.S. government through teacher led instruction. Day Three: Students are assigned to groups and are given a Supreme Court case to research and present to the class. Day Four: Students work in the library using the internet and library resources. Day Five: Students work in the library using the internet and library resources. Day Six: Students create PowerPoint to present their findings to the class. Day Seven: Students present their findings to the rest of the class. Day Eight: Students examine current Supreme Court cases and stage a mock debate on one of the cases in the class.

=Product(s)= [|Supreme Court PowerPoint Student Sample for Bryan.ppt] [|PowerPointRubric.pdf]

=Credits= I would like to thank Chicago Public Schools, Stu "Da Man," Ms. Dana Gonzales, and the rest of my peers and colleagues who attended this professional development. =Author= This unit was created by Bryan Conyers a Chicago Public Schools teacher as part of an intel project. For questions and comments please respond to the discussion board at the top of this page. =Sources= Landmark Supreme Court Cases This site was developed to provide teachers with a full range of resources and activities to support teaching of landmark Supreme Court cases, helping students explore the key issues of each case. [|Website]

Supreme Court of the United States of America Official page of the United States of the Supreme Court, featuring court's opinions and orders, calenders and schedules, rules, news realeases and general information. [|Website]

Google Images The most comprehensive image search on the web. [|Website]