Civics Task Cards: Judicial Branch Review | U.S. Courts and Law

This set of Judicial Branch Civics Task Cards reviews Article III of the United States Constitution: the Judicial Branch! 32 task cards cover vocabulary and key concepts related to the Judicial Branch, the levels of the U.S. federal court system (District Courts, Appeals Courts, and the Supreme Court), origins of law, types of law, sources of law, and the trial process! Multiple choice, written response, vocabulary definitions, and scenarios are included. These task cards make a perfect review activity for middle school students studying the Judicial Branch and U.S. Courts in Civics, American History, or American Government.

Compatible with the Florida State Standard for Middle School Civics:

• SS.7.CG.3.9 Explain the structure, functions and processes of the judicial branch of government. 

This set of Judicial Branch Civics Task Cards includes:

✯ 32 Task Cards related to the Judicial Branch of the United States Government. Each card contains a review question related to Article III of the Constitution: the Judicial Branch! 

Here is a breakdown of the topics included:

✯ 16 Cards on the Judicial Branch, the levels of the federal court system (including the Supreme Court), and the Judicial Branch’s checks and balances. These review questions focus on key ideas related to the Judicial Branch and U.S. Court system.

Vocabulary included: District Courts, U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals, the Supreme Court, judicial review, original jurisdiction, appellate jurisdiction

Sample question: 

• Appointees to the Supreme Court must be approved by this chamber of Congress before they get the job. (The Senate)

✯ 12 cards on Types of Law, Sources of Law, and Origins of Law. Students define key vocabulary terms, answer multiple-choice questions, and write short responses as they identify the various Types and Sources of Law in the American legal system.

Vocabulary included: Statutory Law, Case Law, Criminal Law, Military Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Hammurabi’s Code, Natural Law, Judicial Review

Sample question: This type of law comes from the philosophical idea that all people are born with inherent, inalienable rights. (Natural Law)

✯ 4 scenario cards for the levels of the federal court system. Students read brief descriptions of court cases and decide whether the case would be held in a U.S. District Court, Appellate Court, or the Supreme Court.

Sample Question: The state of New Jersey wants to sue the state of New York over who has ownership of the Statue of Liberty. Which of the three levels of the federal court system has original jurisdiction over this case? (The Supreme Court)

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Can I Use These Civics Task Cards With My Own Curriculum?

Absolutely! These task cards are intended to complement my Judicial Branch resources, but they can absolutely be used independently, as well! They should touch on many of the key concepts and crucial vocabulary in your Judicial Branch curriculum! 

How to Use These Task Cards

These print-and-go cards can be used as unit review, test prep for your Civics End of Course Exam, or extra enrichment for students in need of a little extra review. Have students work through the cards independently, or host a class-wide gallery walk or game of Scoot! 

These task cards are presented in a non-editable, printable PDF. Both color and black & white options are included, as well as an Answer Key. A digital version is also available through TPT Easel! The digital assessment can be assigned directly to your Google Classroom or shared with your students via a URL!

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