Unit Plan

Heather Moloney and Mary Castellano

Purpose

Of UnitGreater understanding of the American

judicial systemBegin to grapple with the essential question

Of Culminating ProjectImprove presentation, PowerPoint,

collaboration, and analytical skillsLearn about Supreme Court Justices and the

role of political ideology in decision makingAnalyze the impact of their ideology on

deciding cases which either expand or limit personal liberties and freedoms

Curriculum-Framing Questions

Essential Question

When, if ever, is it appropriate to limit freedom of a few to protect freedoms of a larger group?

Unit

Question

What role does the U.S. court system play in protecting freedoms? Is this an appropriate role?

Examples of Content

Questions

What is the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts?

What is the selection process for federal judges and judges in the state courts?

What is the length of judge’s terms at the federal and state level?

What are the Bill of Rights? What do they protect?

Content DeliveryDiscussion

Content Delivery

Lectures:

Jurisdiction, Judges, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights

Readings:

The federal judicial system, the state judicial system, civil liberties, civil rights, and a jigsaw reading of landmark Court cases with graphic organizer

Textbook: Government Alive! Supplemental Book: California: Politics and

Government Supplemental Handouts: Cases

Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation

GraphicOrganizer

Culminating ProjectWorking in groups, students will need to gather the following information on one of the Justices

Personal biographical information on the Justice. Stick to topics having an impact on his/her career motivations and political ideology, and personal situations that might encourage retirement.

What are the chances of this justice stepping down during the Obama administration? Explain.

Who appointed this justice and for what reasons? Were confirmation hearings a hurdle? Explain.

Has the justice proven to be a predictable choice? Explain.

Each person takes one case: Analyze the reasons the justice stated on one case for which he or she has written an opinion (Make sure to briefly describe the case first). Then place your justice on the political spectrum based on evidence gathered in their opinions on the cases.

Culminating Project:What to do with the information

Create a PowerPoint Presentation to teach the class about your assigned justice

Create an outline of your presentation to hand to the teacher prior to your presentation

Bibliography of sources usedo Please refer to rubric in the assessment

portion of the PowerPoint

Assessment – Unit

What is the purpose?To gage how much the students know,

what their progress is on the assignments, where further explanation is needed and the extent to which they have mastered the content and the skills presented in the unit

Assessment – Before the Project

What assessments will be used?

Discussion Questions

Graphic Organizer (prior slide)

DiscussionQuestions

Assessment – Before the Project

What assessments will be used?Quiz on content

Quiz

Assessment – Before the Project

What assessments will be used?Technology assessment

Assessment – During the Project

What assessments will be usedoStoryboardingoGoogle Docs - ProgressoCheck List for presentation

Storyboard

Checklist

Assessment – After the Project

What assessments will be used?Grading rubric for presentationGroup evaluation

Rubric

GroupEval

Assessment – After the Project

What assessments will be used?Self evaluationPeer evaluation In class unit essay

o “Place all the Supreme Court Justices on the political spectrum provided and defend your placement of three of the justices using court cases as evidence. How does their political ideology play a role in limiting or protecting our freedoms?”

PeerEval

Feedback

What do you think we need to consider?What assessments might better fit our unit

plan?Do you think we have too much assessing?

Not enough?