A Supreme Court justice does not have supreme authority over the law. Scholars investigate how the justices on the Supreme Court balance their views and opinions as they relate to the United States government and politics. They view a short video clip outlining the ideas of judicial restraint and activism, spurring thought and discussion on the true powers of the highest court in the land. The informative lesson is the 22nd in a 50-part series on the government. 

Concepts

the united states government, american politics, judicial review, supreme court justices

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Extend the lesson with a review of how current decisions by Supreme Court justices have come about by reading their opinions on cases
• Research the difference between judicial activism and judicial restraint prior to viewing the video clip for a base to the lesson

Classroom Considerations

• Video is less than 10 minutes in length—a great addition to a judicial lesson
  

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Includes animation and humor to differentiate instruction
• Provides direct primary cases and quotes to research and extend lesson further

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.3 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.3