What is justice? Who decides, and how is justice achieved?
Purpose: In order to explore the essential question, we will research the judicial branch of our government, investigating the role it plays in our legal understanding of justice and the ways in which the Supreme Court’s decisions impact our daily lives. Topics will also include stories of individuals who have fought for social justice, methods of seeking justice outside of the court system, and reflections on the diversity of the governing bodies which make these decisions.
Audience: 4th graders at an American public school that values inquiry and individual exploration of complex topics. Readers are primarily near or above grade level with some far above, and approximately 20% of students are English Learners reading above, near, and below grade level.
Purpose: In order to explore the essential question, we will research the judicial branch of our government, investigating the role it plays in our legal understanding of justice and the ways in which the Supreme Court’s decisions impact our daily lives. Topics will also include stories of individuals who have fought for social justice, methods of seeking justice outside of the court system, and reflections on the diversity of the governing bodies which make these decisions.
Audience: 4th graders at an American public school that values inquiry and individual exploration of complex topics. Readers are primarily near or above grade level with some far above, and approximately 20% of students are English Learners reading above, near, and below grade level.
Anchor Text
Levy, D. (2016). I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark. New York: Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers.
I Dissent shares the inspiring biography of sitting Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg paired with high-impact illustrations to communicate how an individual can fight for social justice through our country’s court system. The reading level is appropriate for most fourth graders, but as an anchor text, this should be read aloud by the teacher and used to inspire class questions regarding justice and the judicial branch of government. The high-level vocabulary is essential to the impact and understanding of the story, so visual definitions for tough words should be posted on a white board or large sticky-note in a high-visibility location during the unit.
Book talk video recording
I Dissent shares the inspiring biography of sitting Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg paired with high-impact illustrations to communicate how an individual can fight for social justice through our country’s court system. The reading level is appropriate for most fourth graders, but as an anchor text, this should be read aloud by the teacher and used to inspire class questions regarding justice and the judicial branch of government. The high-level vocabulary is essential to the impact and understanding of the story, so visual definitions for tough words should be posted on a white board or large sticky-note in a high-visibility location during the unit.
Book talk video recording
Informational Text: Graphic Novel Format
Fingeroth, D. (2008). The U.S. Supreme Court (Cartoon Nation Series). Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.
This graphic novel/comic book introduces students to the workings of the US Supreme Court, describing the work of the court in making decisions, the justices and how they are confirmed, and the importance of individual cases in determining how law is enforced. Its reading level is appropriate for 3rd-4th graders, and its illustrations will help make very complex concepts more accessible to lower-level readers. This reading level should make the text approachable for the intended fourth grade audience, giving everybody a chance to build their foundational understanding of a complex concept without language getting in the way.
This graphic novel/comic book introduces students to the workings of the US Supreme Court, describing the work of the court in making decisions, the justices and how they are confirmed, and the importance of individual cases in determining how law is enforced. Its reading level is appropriate for 3rd-4th graders, and its illustrations will help make very complex concepts more accessible to lower-level readers. This reading level should make the text approachable for the intended fourth grade audience, giving everybody a chance to build their foundational understanding of a complex concept without language getting in the way.
Interactive Game: A Day in the Life
WNET New York: Thirteen. (2007). The Supreme Court: A Day in the Life [Online game]. Retrieved from https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/supremecourt/educators/adayinthelife.html
In this interactive, online game, students try to match real-life situations to the court cases that impact the rights of those involved. The case names are at a level above this audience, but many can be figured out by studying the options given and thinking critically about what parties might be involved in such a case. Each example includes a summary of the case and how it impacts our rights today, giving students a view into the effects that the judicial branch can have on their daily lives. Students can browse the site independently, but they may need teacher assistance to understand some terminology. They should be reminded that they are not yet expected to know these answers, but they should explore the site and come back together with observations and questions about what they learned.
In this interactive, online game, students try to match real-life situations to the court cases that impact the rights of those involved. The case names are at a level above this audience, but many can be figured out by studying the options given and thinking critically about what parties might be involved in such a case. Each example includes a summary of the case and how it impacts our rights today, giving students a view into the effects that the judicial branch can have on their daily lives. Students can browse the site independently, but they may need teacher assistance to understand some terminology. They should be reminded that they are not yet expected to know these answers, but they should explore the site and come back together with observations and questions about what they learned.
Supporting Texts
Winter, J. (2009). Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Alongside the notorious RBG featured in our anchor text, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has also fought for justice through the ranks of the court system, rising from a humble background to gain a seat and a voice at the most powerful court in our nation. This text supports the conversation started in I Dissent, sharing the powerful biography of a girl who overcame obstacles in pursuit of her dream to fight for social justice through the judicial system. It highlights that each member of the court brings his or her own perspectives to the bench, emphasizing that a diverse court reflects the experiences and cultural literacies of the people it represents more effectively than one which is entirely white and male. |
Clinton, C. (2017). She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World. New York: Philomel Books.
She Persisted takes a look at the lives of 13 American women whose lives have had significant impacts in their own spheres of influence, persisting through obstacles to achieve their goals. This supporting text steps away from the Supreme Court conversation to look at the ways people define and work for justice outside of the judicial system. Its Lexile Measure is on the high end for an average fourth grader, but the stories are well supported by illustrations and the concepts are great starting points for class discussions, making its content accessible to a range of ages. |
Thimmesh, C. (2008). Madam President: The Extraordinary, True (and Evolving) Story of Women in Politics [Revised edition]. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books.
Following the thread of the fight for justice outside of the court system, Madam President profiles American women who have worked to increase citizen’s access, rights, and freedoms through varied political channels. The stories of first ladies, senators, and presidential candidates all using their positions to advance the cause of social justice are deeply inspiring, and they beg the question “What are all of these women fighting against, and why does it take so long to achieve equal rights?” These texts can inspire rich classroom discussion on the nature of justice from both legal and social standpoints. This text’s Lexile Measure is at the top of the range for fourth graders, but it should be accessible when combined with classroom discussion and teacher support. |