Make sure learners have the background knowledge when preparing to play Supreme Decision. Students should know:

  • What the Constitution and the First Amendment are
  • The job of the Supreme Court, and that it is the highest court in the country
  • That people appeal cases to the Supreme Court when they think a lower court did not apply the law correctly
  • That each Justice hires several law clerks who research issues and help write opinions

We recommend playing Supreme Decision at the time you introduce the Bill of Rights, which will give learners insight into the complexity of constitutional rights. Once learners have this understanding, you will be able to help them better understand comparisons to other levels of the judicial branch such as the Court of Appeals and the trial courts.

Modified from Source