“Should where you live decide which school you go to?”
The big question
What makes a school system fair, and can a court decision change what people believe?
The journey
Fair or unfair?: Decide what makes a school system fair.
Six years old, four marshals: Discover Ruby Bridges’ first day.
Brown v. Board of Education, 1954: See how a court can open doors.
The same court can also close doors: Understand that court decisions can move in both directions.
Create your own game: Supreme Court: Invent a role-play game with judges and lawyers.
Final task: the mock trial: Argue and write a verdict.
Sentence starters
It is fair when…
In 1960, Ruby Bridges…
The Supreme Court decided that…
Supporters believe that…
Each player must…
As a lawyer, I argue that…
Game: Supreme Court
A role-play game: case cards, 3 judges and 2 lawyer teams. Each lawyer must use one fact and one value; the judges explain their verdict in a full sentence.
Final task
Mock trial (B1–B2): each student argues once (1 minute), then writes a 120-word verdict.