Idaho Social Studies 9-12.GOV.40
The Standard
Explain the processes of selection and confirmation of Supreme Court justices.
Idaho Content Standards: K-12 Social Studies · Function And Structure of the U.S. Political System
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students trace what happens when a Supreme Court seat opens. They explain how the president selects a nominee and how the Senate reviews and votes on that nominee.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can put nomination, a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, and a full Senate vote in order. They can name who acts at each step and explain that confirmation requires a simple majority in the Senate.
Common Misconceptions
- Some students think voters elect justices or the president can appoint one without Senate approval. Others mistake a committee hearing or vote for final confirmation.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A Supreme Court seat opens. Write who nominates a replacement, what happens at the committee hearing, and who casts the final confirmation vote.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups president, nominee, committee, and Senate role cards; run a five-minute nomination, hearing, and vote.
Ask: Why might senators question a nominee about past decisions? Have students write two sentences.
Play a sequencing race with cards labeled vacancy, nomination, committee hearing, and Senate vote; name the actor at each step.
Look up a Supreme Court confirmation vote on Senate.gov; record the yes and no totals and decide whether the nominee was confirmed.
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