Name________________________

Date_________________________
Supreme Court Simulation Introduction
Directions: Based on your assigned role, you will begin researching your relevant topics. The
descriptions below should help you to determine your end goal and what is important to research.
Roles – You will be assigned one of the roles below. Once you know your role, you will
begin researching the topics listed below.
Justices: As a Supreme Court Justice, you will be making the final decision in the case. You will
be responsible for researching notes on:
• How the Supreme Court functions
• Landmark cases
• How justices write opinions of the court
• The Constitution and the Bill of Rights (specifically the first amendment)
• Major court cases that deal with schools, education, and student free speech
You will also be responsible for developing your biographical profile, reading the written
arguments for each side before the trial, and developing questions to ask during the trial. If
asked, you must also provide an interview for any of the journalists.
Clerks: If you are a clerk, you will be helping the Justice research for the case. You will be
responsible for researching the same things listed above and you will work as a team. With your
research and the provided briefs, you will help provide perspective and ideas to the Justices. If
asked, you must also provide an interview for any of the journalists.
Solicitor General: As the Solicitor General, you will be making the argument for the defense in
front of the justices. Although normally only one person is allowed to make an oral argument in
front of the Justices, we are bending the rules so each person on the team will get a chance to
speak. You will be responsible for researching notes on:
• Court cases that establish precedent for student free speech
• The Constitution and how it is/isn’t violated in this case
• Any laws that pertain to the actions of the defendant
• Ways that laws or precedent were misapplied in the original case
Using the research above, the group will write a written argument that will be presented to the
Justices before the trial. You will also be responsible for preparing an oral argument for the
Justices where each person speaks and be prepared to answer questions the Justices may have.
If asked, you must also provide an interview to any of the journalists.
Prosecutorial Team: As the prosecutorial team you will be making an argument for the
plaintiffs in front of the justices. Although normally only one person is allowed to make an oral
argument in front of the Justices, we are bending the rules so each person on the team will get a
chance to speak. You will be responsible for researching notes on:
• Court cases that establish precedent for student free speech
Name________________________
Date_________________________
• The Constitution and how it is/isn’t violated in this case
• Any laws that pertain to the actions of the defendant
• Ways that laws or precedent were misapplied in the original case
Using the research above, the group will write a written argument that will be presented to the
Justices before the trial. You will also be responsible for preparing an oral argument for the
Justices where each person speaks and be prepared to answer questions the Justices may have.
If asked, you must also provide an interview to any of the journalists.
Journalists: If you are a journalist, you will be required to report on the case from all angles.
During the research period you will be conducting at least one interview with someone from
each role (1 justice, 1 clerk, 1 person for the defense, 1 person for the prosecution).
Based on your interviews and any needed independent research, you will be putting
together a two-page newspaper that outlines the case. This newspaper should include at least
three-four articles, photos, and be formatted like a real newspaper. Your articles can be based on
any of the following topics or ones you brainstorm yourself that are relevant to the topic.
• Reports on the simulated Supreme Court case
• Research on any former cases
• Interviews and profiles of people involved with the simulated court case
• General history or introduction to the Supreme Court
•
Marshal of the Supreme Court: This role will be played by the administrator or teacher. This
gives you the power to oversee the proceedings of the court and keep the classroom in order
during the simulation.
Name________________________
Date_________________________
Supreme Court Research Handout
Directions: The following resources can point you in the right direction in your research. You
can other resources, but this should get you started.
Court Cases involving Schools, Education, and Students
Doninger vs. Niehoff (2008)
West Virginia State Board vs. Barnette (1943)
Wisneiewski vs. Board of Education (2007)
R.S. et al v. Minnewaska Area School District No. 2149 et al (Pending)
Hazelwood School District vs. Kuhlmeier (1988)
Bethel School District No. 403 vs. Fraser (1986)
Island Trees School District vs. Pico (1985)
School District of Abington Township, Pennsylvania vs. Schempp (1963)
New Jersey vs. TLO (1985)
Board of Education of Independent School District #92 of Pottawatomie County v. Earls (2002)
A.N. v. Upper Perkiomen School District (2017)
Canady vs. Bossier (2001)
Morse vs. Frederick (2007)
Goss vs. Lopez (1975)
Roper vs. Simmons (2005)
Research Databases
Justia Dockets and Filings allows students to search court case filings from the U.S district courts
and U.S. Court of Appeals directly. Students can also browse by state, circuit, and type of
lawsuit filed to find cases that are relevant to their arguments.
Congress.gov provides a space for students to search for federal laws that might be valid in their
arguments.
Oyez also provides resources to search Supreme Court cases, along with how justices voted on
the issue.
FindLaw also provides resources for searching court cases online.
While looking at the Constitution, the National Archives provides research options for students
to look up articles that might be related to this case.