Government · Week 9 · Institutions, Courts, and Federalism
Judges, Evidence, and Restraint
Comparing judicial activism and judicial restraint as two serious philosophies held by thoughtful people and practicing calm judgment before taking a side.
- Students will
- Students explain judicial review, and compare judicial activism and judicial restraint as two serious philosophies, evaluating the strengths and limits of each claim.
- SEL skill
- Pause and check evidence before choosing a side
- What it looks like
- Students practice calm judgment by pausing and checking evidence before taking a side.
- Content focus
- Judges, evidence, and restraint
- Format
- Structured discussion
Self-management
Self-management means regulating your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors so you can think clearly and reach your goals, even when you feel strongly. More self-management activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- 12.5.2: CA History Social Science Content Standard, Grade 12: Principles of American Democracy (standard 12.5, item 2)
- CA HSS Analysis Skill: HREP1 Distinguish valid arguments from fallacious arguments in historical interpretations. (Historical Research, Evidence, and Point of View)
- C3 Framework (national): D3.4.9-12 Refine claims and counterclaims for precision and significance while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both.
- Literacy in history: RH.11-12.6 Compare the point of view of two or more authors on the same or related topics.
Fits these textbook chapters
- Government Alive! Power, Politics, and You, Chapter 15: Courts, Judges, and the Law
- Government Alive! Power, Politics, and You, Chapter 16: The Criminal Justice System
- United States Government and Civics, Chapter 13: Federal and State Court Systems
- United States Government and Civics, Chapter 14: The Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Government and Civics, Chapter 16: Constitutional Right to a Fair Trial
- Magruder's American Government, Chapter 18: The Federal Court System
- Magruder's American Government, Chapter 20: Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More self-management activities for Government
- Ambition Checks Ambition Self-managementReading Federalist No. 51 on checks and balances and building personal checks that slow a reaction before it becomes a regret.
- Duties of a Citizen Self-managementWeighing legal duties like jury service and paying taxes alongside chosen duties like volunteering, and committing to one small act of service.
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RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.