Argument Wars | iCivics (original) (raw)

• Analyze the arguments and outcomes of landmark Supreme Court cases
• Evaluate available arguments to assess whether reasoning is sound and support is relevant or irrelevant
• Recognize the significance of the Constitution and Supreme Court precedent in deciding cases

Have your students ever tried to win a disagreement? Put their persuasive abilities to the test by arguing a real Supreme Court case.

In Argument Wars, your students will practice their argumentation and persuasion skills with a real case that made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. They’ll pick a side to represent, identify the Constitutional basis for the case, and dive in. The other lawyer is the competition, and whoever has the strongest arguments wins!

Argue one of these Supreme Court Cases:

• Bond v. United States
• Brown v. Board of Education
• _Gideon v. Wainwright
• _Hazelwood v. K uhlmeier
• _In Re Gault
• _Miranda v. Arizona
• New Jersey v. T.L.O.
• _Snyder v. Phelps
• Texas v. Johnson

While the game is based on real cases and historical arguments, it is not a reenactment. The outcome of the game is up to your student’s arguments. In the end, they will discover how the real justices voted.

Teacher Tips

The Argument Wars Extension Pack includes activities and a mini quiz that give the game context and reinforce and assess its concepts. Extension Packs include a downloadable teacher lesson plan, assignable student handout, and instructive Google Slides. Google Slides can be used on projectors or interactive whiteboards.

Multilingual and English learners (ELs/MLs) and Spanish-speaking students: This game offers a decision-support tool, an English voiceover, a contextualized glossary, and a Spanish-language version.

Our games integrate seamlessly into your curriculum and classroom! Learn more about how to teach with games.