The American Republic To 1877 © 2007

Chapter 9: The Jefferson Era

Web Lesson Plans

Introduction
In this chapter students learned about events from the bitterly contested election of 1800 through the War of 1812. It was a period of growth for the young nation. One institution that was growing along with the country was the United States Supreme Court. Established by Article III of the Constitution, the Supreme Court established its influence through a series of important early decisions.

Lesson Description
In this activity students will visit a site maintained by the United States government about the Supreme Court. They will learn about traditions of the court. The traditions page begins by stating, "For all of the changes in its history, the Supreme Court has retained so many traditions that it is in many respects the same institution that first met in 1790." A discussion based on that statement could lead to a study in the contrasts between the judicial branch and the legislative and executive branches. Students will read and answer questions and then create a new tradition or symbol for the court.

1. The learner will be able to describe several traditions of the United States Supreme Court.
2. The learner will be able to create a new tradition or symbol for the Court as an example of his or her understanding of the Court's purpose.

1. the chief justice of the Supreme Court
2. since 1800
3. It is a tradition begun by Chief Justice Fuller in the late nineteenth century. It reminds the justices that differences of opinion on the court should not upset the overall harmony of purpose.
4. Both George Washington and Franklin Roosevelt appointed 8 associate justices to the Supreme Court.
5. Students' proposed symbols or traditions will vary.