The Rendell Center created these interactive lessons to lead students through a simulation of an actual Supreme Court case. Lessons are carefully crafted and allow students to break down complex constitutional issues.
Each lesson begins with an overview of the facts of the actual case, followed by a brief discussion of the Supreme Court decision. Then, students are asked to take a stand “for or against” the majority decision. Once students have taken sides, they are divided into three groups: Petitioner, Respondent, and Supreme Court Justices. The groups prepare their arguments to be used during the Supreme Court simulation. A group of 9 students are selected to serve as the Justices of the Supreme Court. With support from The Rendell Center, lawyers and judges can be brought in to virtually work with each group. The simulation can be done over several class periods. For the more advanced groups The Rendell Center has developed mock cases that allow the students to apply several constitutional precedents.
PDF Lessons Supported with Video
Korematsu v. U.S.
PDF Lesson
Korematsu v. U.S.
Mahanoy ASD v. B.L.
PDF Lesson
Mahanoy ASD v. B.L.
Lemon v. Kurtzman
PDF Lesson
Lemon v. Kurtzman
Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission
PDF Lesson
Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District
PDF Lesson
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District
Morse v. Frederick
PDF Lesson
Morse v. Frederick
Katz v. The United States
PDF Lesson
Katz v. The United States
Vernonia v. Acton
PDF Lesson
Vernonia v. Acton
Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores
PDF Lesson
Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores
Heart of Atlanta Motel v. The United States
PDF Lesson
