10 Supreme Court Cases Every Teen Should Know: Part 2

1. Set Focus 
Pose this essential question: How does a democracy stay faithful to its fundamental principles?

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

• Why did the Court give schools less authority over students’ social media but more control over what students write in school newspapers? (The Court gave schools less authority over what students say on social media off campus, as that would not be a school activity. However, the Court ruled that school newspapers are a school-guided activity, and therefore, schools have the right to exercise editorial control over style and content.)

• Which ruling do you most strongly agree or disagree with? What is the basis for your point of view? Would you categorize your viewpoint as based on logic, emotion, or something else? Explain. (Students’ responses will vary. But students should point to details in the case they chose when explaining their point of view about the ruling in the case. Students should also offer a reflection on how they assess their own viewpoint.)

• What do the rulings and the reasons given for the rulings suggest about the necessity for judges, including the Supreme Court justices, to follow law and precedent, not emotion, when ruling on cases? Explain, citing text details. (Students’ ideas will vary. But students should support their points with text evidence.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Assign, print, or project the activity In Their Words. Have students identify the speaker, or note “the Court,” for each quotation from the article and paraphrase the quote.

4. Writing Prompt
Research the majority and dissenting opinions for the case you chose for question 2. Do you hold the same viewpoint after reading the opinions? Explain.

5. Classroom Debate
Is nine the right number of justices for the Supreme Court?

6. Quiz & Skills
Assess comprehension with the quiz.