Eighth Grade Expansion and Reform Unit
Lesson 4
Title: Power of the Court
Grade Level: 8
Unit of Study: Expansion and Reform
GLCE:
U4.1.4 Establishing a National Judiciary and Its Power – Explain the development of the power
of the Supreme Court through the doctrine of judicial review as manifested in Marbury v.
Madison (1803) and the role of Chief Justice John Marshall and the Supreme Court in
interpreting the power of the national government (e.g., McCullouch v. Maryland, Dartmouth
College v. Woodward, Gibbons v. Ogden).
Abstract: Civic participation is essential for effective government.
Key Concepts: How do court rulings establish precedent and define the judiciary branch?
Sequence of Activities:
1. Discuss how judicial review was established and connected to the Constitution’s
vagueness in relation to the court system.
2. Brainstorm concept of how precedent is established and how does past precedent affect
current law (should include discussion of key court cases: Marbury v. Madison,
Gibbons v. Ogden, McCullouch v. Maryland, etc)
3. Analysis of 1-2 court cases (what was the decision, why is it precedent, is it still
applicable?)
4. Connect court decisions/precedent to student centered issues (student handbook/rules,
1st amendment rights, computer rights).
Connections:
English Language Arts
Debate court decisions
Mathematics
Instructional Resources:
Equipment/Manipulative
Student Resources
Copies of court cases
Teacher Resources
Supreme Court Cases
Calhoun ISD Social Studies Curriculum Design Project