Alabama Social Studies SS24.US1.3c
The Standard
- SS24.US1.3
- Analyze the major policies and political developments of the presidencies of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.
Explain the establishment of a national judiciary and its power, including the institution of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison (1803).
2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain how Article III established the Supreme Court and Congress set up lower federal courts. They use Marbury’s commission dispute to explain how courts can reject laws that conflict with the Constitution.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can identify Congress as the branch that created lower federal courts. They can explain why the Supreme Court could not order Madison to deliver Marbury’s commission and how it rejected part of a federal law as unconstitutional.
Common Misconceptions
- Some students think the Supreme Court created the lower federal courts, rather than Congress. Others think Marbury received his commission or that judicial review lets judges write new laws.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Who established the lower federal courts? Why did the Supreme Court refuse to order Madison to deliver Marbury’s commission, and what power did its ruling demonstrate?
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs Article III and Judiciary Act of 1789 excerpt cards; have them build a diagram showing who established each federal court.
Ask students to write two sentences explaining why Marbury had a right to his commission but still lost his case.
Give students four ruling cards, two rejecting laws as unconstitutional and two applying laws; have them sort which show judicial review.
Use a news brief about a court striking down a state law; students highlight the law, constitutional claim, and ruling.
Free download
Printable SS24.US1.3c Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to SS24.US1.3c, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- SS24.USG.6b
Outline and explain the process of appointing Supreme Court Justices and other federal judges.
- SS24.8.7e
Summarize the significance of the issuing of the Magna Carta in limiting royal power and establishing the rule of law.
- SS24.6.17b
Explain the significance of Marbury v. Madison (1803) in establishing judicial review by the Supreme Court.
- SS24.USG.6
Summarize the functions and duties of the judicial branch, including the power of judicial review and interpretation of laws.
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson