RBG: A Documentary Exploring the Life and Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- Balance Learning Resources
- May 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Grade Level: 9th - 12th
Duration of video: 97 minutes
Themes: U.S. Constitution, American Case Law, Justice, Civil Rights, Gender Equality
Description:
In this lesson, students will watch the informative and endearing documentary RBG (2018) and reflect on the life and career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020), a Jewish American. Students will explore her contributions to gender equality and civil rights and discuss how her legacy continues to influence the American legal system and our society today. Through this lesson, students will analyze the role of the judiciary in shaping laws and societal change.
LESSON PLAN: RBG, a documentary exploring the life and legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Identify key moments in Ginsburg’s life and career as depicted in the documentary RBG.
Discuss Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s impact on American law and society.
Discuss the role of the U.S. Supreme Court and its justices in shaping public policy, particularly regarding gender equality and civil rights.
Evaluate the continuing influence of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s work and legacy.
Materials:
Documentary: RBG (Sundance Documentary, 2018, available on Amazon)
Smart Board and screen (for showing the documentary)
Student Handout #1: Small Group Discussion Questions
Student Handout #2: Small Group Activity
Preparation:
Prepare the Smart Board for the movie.
Student Handout #1: Small Group Discussion Questions, either xerox for each student or project onto Smart Board after showing the film.
Student Handout #2: Small Group Activity, xerox for each student
Familiarize yourself with the documentary to ensure you can guide the discussion effectively after the film.
Introduction (10 minutes):
1. Warm-Up Discussion:
a. Ask students: Have you heard of Ruth Bader Ginsburg? What do you know about her?
b. Lead a short discussion about the U.S. Supreme Court and its role in interpreting the Constitution and shaping laws.
Ask: What does a justice do?
Ask: Why is the Supreme Court an important institution in American democracy
2. Overview of the documentary:
Introduce the film RBG, explaining that it covers the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, from her early years as a law student to her groundbreaking work on the Supreme Court.
3. Questions to ask before the film:
Say: Take notes on key moments in Justice Ginsburg’s life and how she impacted gender equality and justice in American society.
Activity: Watch the Film:
Play the documentary RBG (approx. 97 minutes). You can choose to show the entire film in one sitting or divide it into two parts if necessary.
Post-Viewing Discussion (20 minutes):
Small Group Discussion:
After watching the film, divide students into small groups of 3-4 and project the following discussion questions on the Smart Board (or hand out copies of Student Handout #1, below). Give them 10 minutes to discuss these questions.
Discussion Questions (also found in Student Handout #1, below):
1) What were some of the challenges Ruth Bader Ginsburg faced in her career, and how did she overcome them?
2) How did Justice Ginsburg use the legal system to fight for gender equality?
3) How did her approach to law and justice differ from other justices on the Supreme Court?
4) What public mistake did Justice Ginsburg make? How did she repair it? What does this say about her character?
5) Why do you think Ginsburg became such an iconic figure, particularly for women and marginalized groups?
6) What impact did her work have on specific cases, such as United States v. Virginia (about Virginia Military Institute) or Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.(about pay equality)?
7) How did Ginsburg balance her career and personal life? What sacrifices did she make to pursue her professional goals?
Class-wide Discussion:
After the group discussion, reconvene as a class and invite groups to share their insights.
Encourage students to think critically about the role of the Supreme Court in shaping social change and how Ginsburg’s contributions continue to influence legal and political debates today.
Possible follow-up questions:
How might America be different today if Justice Ginsburg had not been appointed to the Supreme Court?
What lessons can we learn from Justice Ginsburg’s perseverance and dedication to justice?
Assessment: Research Assignment (30 minutes):
Have students return to their small groups and give them Student Handout #2 (below). From the list of cases on Student Handout #2, assign each small group a case that Justice Ginsburg argued.
Ask students to follow instructions on Student Handout # 2 and create a brief power point (and/or oral presentation) to the class about the case.
Closing (5 minutes):
Wrap-Up Questions:
How do you view the legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg now that you’ve seen the documentary?
What do you think Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg would want future generations to remember about her work?
Tip: A great free resource for learning about Supreme Court decisions and listening to court recordings is: https://www.oyez.org/about
Conclusion:
This lesson provides students with a deeper understanding of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legacy and her vital role in advancing justice and equality in the U.S. Through the documentary RBG, students gain insights into her life, work, and influence on the American legal system. The lesson encourages critical thinking and discussions around the role of the judiciary in shaping society.
