National Government: The Judicial Branch
Session 3: Distinguishing among Federal Courts

Materials

• Overhead projector or board
• Textbook

Instructional Activities

1. Review the function of the judicial branch.
   
   
2. Instruct students to read the section in their textbook that corresponds to the Supreme Court.
   
   
3. As they read, have students record the answers to the following questions:
   •    How many justices serve on the Supreme Court?
   •    How many jurors serve on the Supreme Court?
   •    How are Supreme Court justices appointed?
   •    What are the qualifications for becoming a Supreme Court justice?
   •    What types of cases does the Supreme Court hear?
   •    What is the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction?
   •    In what type of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?
   
   
4. Review the responses to the questions.
   
   
5. Instruct students to read the textbook sections on the United States Court of Appeals.
   
   
6. As they read, students should write down the answers to the following questions:
   •    Who is in charge of the hearings and rendering of decisions in a case heard before the United States Court of Appeals?
   •    What type of cases does the United States Court of Appeals hear?
   
   
7. Review the responses to the questions.
   
   
8. Have students create a chart that compares and contrasts the U.S. Supreme Court to the U.S. Court of Appeals.
   
   
9. Homework: Have students read the section of their textbook that relates to the United States District Court.