Marbury v. Madison

During the early years of the American republic, the system of checks and balances between the three branches of the federal government was tested and solidified. This lesson examines the history behind the expansion of the Supreme Court’s role and the principal of judicial review that came from the case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803. For teachers, one of the helpful things this website provides is secondary background reading and questions at three different ability levels. The easiest level provides help with vocabulary and may be suitable for English language learners. An engaging political cartoon analysis exercise is also included. The cartoon illustrates the balance of powers between the three branches of government, equating the Supreme Court to referees in a football game. In addition, excerpts of the most significant passages and other related texts are provided for students to read and interpret. We think teachers will appreciate the flexibility in the recommended sequence of activities. Activities can be tailored to how much time you have to teach about this important topic.

Notes

Teachinghistory.org Lesson Plan Rubric

Field	Criteria	Comments
Historical Content	Is historically accurate?	Yes. Well researched; content is very thorough.
Historical Content	Includes historical background?	Yes. Background available at three different reading levels.
Historical Content	Requires students to read and write?	Yes. Focused on reading and answering questions. Students construct brief responses.
Analytic Thinking	Requires analysis/construction of interpretations using evidence?	Yes. Students analyze documents about who has power to declare laws unconstitutional.
Analytic Thinking	Requires close reading and attention to source information?	Yes. Emphasis on reading primary sources. Source and perspective understanding required.
Scaffolding	Appropriate for stated audience?	Yes. Appropriate for secondary audience. May suit eighth-grade classes.
Scaffolding	Includes scaffolding materials and strategies?	Yes. Leveled background reading, opening scenario, diagram, and excerpted primary documents.
Lesson Structure	Includes assessment criteria focused on historical understanding?	No. Activities include questions but no other assessment strategies.
Lesson Structure	Defines clear learning goals and progresses logically?	No. No learning objectives explicitly stated, but activities progress logically.
Lesson Structure	Includes clear directions; realistic for classrooms?	Yes. Adequate instructions for implementation.