Eighth Graders Prepare for Supreme Court Simulation

Using the knowledge they have gained in learning about the founding of the United States, eighth graders are currently preparing to participate in a simulation of the Dred Scott v. Sandford case heard by the Supreme Court in 1857. “Students have been assigned roles as witnesses, lawyers, and Supreme Court justices,” says teacher Neal Biskar, “and will reenact the trial focusing on the two legal issues of the case: Was Dred Scott a citizen of the United States and therefore entitled to bring a lawsuit to the federal courts? And was he free as a result of having lived in a territory where slavery was outlawed?”

Thus far in eighth grade social studies, students have studied the conflict between Great Britain and the 13 colonies, the creation of the U.S. Constitution, the expansion of the United States to the Pacific Ocean, and the events leading to the Civil War. All of this research will be used as they present their cases in this simulation, which will begin on Monday. MORE PHOTOS