U.S. Supreme Court Justices

Civics and Government - Social Studies

Part 1: Meet the Justices (10–12 minutes)

Directions: Use your notes, textbook, or prior knowledge to complete the chart.

Justice NameAppointed By (President)Year AppointedConsidered Liberal, Conservative, or ModerateOne Interesting Fact

John Roberts

Clarence Thomas

Samuel Alito

Sonia Sotomayor

Elena Kagan

Neil Gorsuch

Brett Kavanaugh

Amy Coney Barrett

Ketanji Brown Jackson

Part 2: Quick Understanding (5–7 minutes)

Directions: Answer in complete sentences.

  1. What is the role of the Supreme Court in the U.S. government?
  2. What does it mean when a justice is described as “liberal” or “conservative”?
  3. Who is the Chief Justice, and how is that role different from the other justices?
  4. Why do Supreme Court justices serve for life?

Part 3: Patterns & Observations (5–6 minutes)

Directions: Look at your completed chart and answer the questions.

  1. Which presidents appointed the most current justices?
  2. Do most justices lean liberal, conservative, or is the Court balanced? Explain.
  3. What trend do you notice about when most justices were appointed (recent vs. long ago)?
  4. Why might the timing of appointments matter for the country?

Part 4: Critical Thinking (8–10 minutes)

Directions: Answer each question in 2–4 sentences. Support your ideas.

  1. Why is it important that Supreme Court justices are independent from elections and political pressure?
  2. Do you think the Supreme Court should reflect the political views of the country? Why or why not?
  3. Should there be term limits for Supreme Court justices instead of lifetime appointments? Explain your reasoning.
  4. Imagine you are the president—what qualities would you look for when choosing a Supreme Court justice?
  5. Which do you think matters more: a justice’s personal beliefs or their interpretation of the Constitution? Defend your answer.

Extension (Optional / Early Finishers)

Option A: Rank the Importance
Rank the following from most important to least important when selecting a justice and explain your top choice:

  • Experience
  • Political beliefs
  • Age
  • Background/diversity
  • Judicial philosophy

Option B: Real-World Connection
Write 3–4 sentences explaining how Supreme Court decisions affect everyday life (school, rights, laws, etc.).

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