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Supreme Court focuses on the Constitution
Additional Resources A special Constitution Day program sponsored by National Public Radio, the national Archives and Records Administration and the New York Times Knowledge Network. Justices Sandra Day O,Connor and Stephen Breyer will discuss the Constitution with high school students at the Supreme Court, including such topics as why we have and need a Constitution, what federalism is and how separation of powers ensures that no branch of government gains too much power. Click here for details about classroom-ready video. Public schools across the United States are required to teach students about the nation's fundamental document on Constitution Day Sept. 16. The proposed Constitution was unanimously approved Sept. 17, 1787, by 55 delegates who wrote the document during the summer of that year in Philadelphia. It was ratified by the required nine states the following year. In 1791, the first 10 amendments to the constitution were adopted as one unit and became known as the Bill of Rights. Over the years, 17 additional amendments were approved. One amendment, the 18th, was adopted in 1919, and repealed in 1933, ending Prohibition. This week's classroom study of the importance of the Constitution happens to coincide with congressional confirmation hearings of Judge John G. Roberts Jr., nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, which decides the constitutionality of the nation's laws. There is no appeal of Supreme Court decisions.
Front Page Talking Points is written by
Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2013
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Have your students follow newspaper coverage of the confirmation hearings for Judge John Roberts and ask them to write a report about what they learned. Ask them to evaluate the fairness of the hearings based on their study of the newspaper stories. And ask them to evaluate the objectivity of the newspaper stories.
Have your students study the editorial and Op Ed pages of their newspapers and discuss in class the opinions about the hearings expressed by columnists, editorial writers and letter writers. Then ask them to write letters to the editor stating their own views of the hearings as well as their opinions of the fairness of the newspaper coverage.
Have your students search their newspapers for advertisements placed by supporters and opponents of Judge Roberts and discuss in class whether the advertisements are appropriate freedom of speech activities. Ask them to rate the accuracy of the advertisements. And ask them to debate whether newspapers should publish such advertisements.
Life terms?
Custom has established that Supreme Court justices are appointed for life. But, in fact, the Constitution does not call for that term of service. Article III, authorizing the judicial system of the nation, stipulates only that the justices shall "hold their Offices during good Behavior." What could be regarded by the public as bad behavior that would justify removal from the court?