Congress for Kids: [Judicial Branch]: Word Spy

Judicial Branch

Introduction Supreme Court The Justices Dealing with Segregation

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Why is the Supreme Court called "Supreme?"

What kind of jurisdiction does the U.S. Supreme Court have, how does a case make it to the Supreme Court and what happens once a case is accepted for review?

What action can be taken by the U.S. Supreme Court to illustrate the concept that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land?

Think about how the Supreme Court interpreted the 14th Amendment in the late 1880s and 1890s What were some of the issues the court considered economic and social in its construction of the 14th Amendment?

TimeLine: Supreme Court Develops

The Supreme Court

Uncle Sam, the word spy, wants you to take a minute and test your knowledge.

Match the word(s) in the left-hand column to complete the questions or statements in the right-hand column. Check your answers.

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Originally there were five Associates Justices and a Chief Justice. In 1801 to 1869, Congress changed this number to seven Associate Justices. There are now eight Associate Justices and one Chief Justice, all nominated by the president, and then confirmed by the Senate.

Projects You Can Do

Review the Bill of Rights and discuss the rights that American citizens enjoy. Keep these in mind and role-play selected court deliberations. Argue the cases as it is done in the Supreme Court. Research information that will help you with your arguments. Discuss the criteria and information that the Justices of the Supreme Court would utilize in rendering a decision. Address the procedural elements of court deliberations and discuss how they help or hinder the decision-making process. Evaluate the outcomes of these decisions and discuss the impact of the Supreme Court's definition of student rights over the last 25 years.

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