The Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison may not be widely recognized but the landmark case is particularly significant because it established the precedent for judicial review and that the Supreme Court had power as an interpreter of the Constitution. Learners watch six clips in which legal scholars discuss the significance of the case and then respond to eight questions about the case.

Concepts

the judicial branch, the supreme court, supreme court cases, the three branches of government, judicial review, the judicial system

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Have groups research current Supreme Court judges to determine whether they favor a strict reading or an interpretation of the Constitution

Classroom Considerations

• The language in the clips is sophisticated and some viewers will need additional scaffolding to understand the nuances of the discussions
• Although designated for middle schoolers, the resource is more appropriate for high school government classes

Pros

• Includes a drag and drop vocabulary activity

Cons

• Several of the videos end with the speaker in mid-sentence
• Questions 4 and 5 on the worksheet are identical