SCOTUSblog
Comprehensive unbiased coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court.
SCOTUSblog
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this website.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that SCOTUSblog covers everything related to the U.S. Supreme Court. Lawyers, law professors, and law students write articles about all the Supreme Court petitions and cases that come before the court. The articles cover arguments, decisions, and other topics related to the court. Content will be difficult for many kids to grasp unless parents provide them with additional support. Some videos can be used to supplement text-based content and engage family discussions on important issues that come before the court.
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What’s It About?
SCOTUSblog keeps the public informed about the happenings of the Supreme Court. A number of its resources can help teenagers understand high-level legal issues. These include Plain English, which has simplified articles about key cases; a glossary with an extensive list of legal definitions; and Procedure Materials, which uses an imaginary Supreme Court case to illustrate complex terms and concepts. There also are links to statistics, videos, and special features that provide in-depth content on a range of cases and legal topics.
Is It Any Good?
Although SCOTUSblog wasn't intended to be a site for kids to learn about the Supreme Court, it does have value as a research tool and a conversation starter for families discussing legal issues. The up-to-the-minute articles provide insight into every step of the legal process and will inform users of the latest developments on important issues. The additional content on the site can help parents and kids understand the role of the Supreme Court in American society. Though the site is very informative about this branch of government, the largest issue is that there's nothing flashy about the site to attract kids. Since the text and the content discussed can be pretty dry and unexciting, parents will need to come up with a way to peak kids' interest. But overall, if you and your family are interested in discovering more about the Supreme Court in an unbiased manner, SCOTUSBlog is an invaluable resource.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the purpose of the Supreme Court and how it functions as a part of the United States government. Do you think the Supreme Court functions well? Could it work better?
Talk about controversial issues being addressed by the court. Are these court cases controversial because of political arguments or because the issues themselves are divisive?
Website Details
- Subjects: Social Studies: citizenship, government
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: analyzing evidence, investigation, thinking critically, Self-Direction: academic development
- Genre: Civic Engagement
- Topics: High School, History
- Pricing structure: Free
- Last updated: November 5, 2015
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