Court of Consequence

1. Set Focus 
Pose this essential question: How are our lives shaped by decisions the Supreme Court makes?

2. Read and Discuss 
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence: 

• What central ideas about the Supreme Court are discussed in the opening section? (The opening section explains that the Supreme Court will rule on cases this term that could greatly affect American life; it also discusses the Court’s conservative majority and the likely impact that will have on decisions.

• What factors does the Court consider when selecting cases to hear? What is an appeals court? What is the connection between the appeals courts and the Supreme Court? (When selecting cases, the Court considers whether they contain a constitutional issue and whether lower courts have issued conflicting rulings. An appeals court hears appeals from trial courts. The ruling of an appeals court can be appealed to the Supreme Court.)

• How might social media change if the Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs in Gonzalez v. Google? Research each side’s argument. Would a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs be an example of judicial activism or judicial restraint? Explain. (Students’ ideas about how social media might change will vary but should be supported by text evidence and real-life examples. Students’ assessments of the rulings will vary depending on their interpretations of each side’s argument.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Assign, print, or project the activity Write a Case Brief. Have students go to www.oyez.org and other reputable sites to research one of the cases discussed in the article, making notes on the graphic organizer. Then have students use their notes to write a case brief. If time allows, have students present their case briefs.

4. Writing Prompt
How do you think the Supreme Court will rule in each of the cases discussed in the article? Support your ideas with evidence from the article.

5. Classroom Debate
Should Supreme Court justices have term limits?

6. Quiz & Skills
Assess comprehension with the quiz.