Alabama Social Studies SS24.USG.6b
The Standard
- SS24.USG.6
- Summarize the functions and duties of the judicial branch, including the power of judicial review and interpretation of laws.
Outline and explain the process of appointing Supreme Court Justices and other federal judges.
2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify who nominates federal judges and who confirms them. They put the steps in order, from a vacancy to a presidential nomination, Senate review, confirmation vote, and appointment.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given a Supreme Court vacancy, a student can name each step and who takes it. They can explain that district and appeals court judges follow the same basic process.
Common Misconceptions
- Some students think voters or the House confirm federal judges. Others think a committee hearing gives final approval, when the full Senate must vote.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A federal district judge retires. Who picks a replacement, what does the Senate do, and what happens after confirmation?
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs cards labeled vacancy, nomination, committee hearing, Senate vote, and appointment; have them order the cards and name who acts at each step.
Ask students to write two sentences answering: Why might senators question a nominee after the president has chosen that person?
Play “Who acts next?” Read a step aloud, then have students hold up President, committee, or full Senate cards.
Show an archived Senate Judiciary Committee hearing notice; students identify the nominee's court and explain why the hearing does not settle the appointment.
Free download
Printable SS24.USG.6b Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to SS24.USG.6b, 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.3b
Summarize the formal process of amending the Constitution of the United States.
- SS24.AS.20a
Describe the state court system in Alabama, and explain how the election of judges in Alabama differs from the appointment of judges at the federal level.
- SS24.6.14
Outline the process of selecting political leaders of the United States as established in the Constitution and its amendments.
- 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