×
<< BACK TO THE TEACH HUB

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Lesson Plan

This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court’s decision that gave defendants in state criminal courts the right to a lawyer. Students learn about the 6th Amendment right to a lawyer, why the right is important, and how the right led to the existence of public defenders. Students then identify other cases in which the Supreme Court extended important rights of the accused to the state level.

Pedagogy Tags

Teacher Resources

Get access to lesson plans, teacher guides, student handouts, and other teaching materials.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Lesson Plan - Facts of the Case
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Lesson Plan Activities

Related Resources

  • Lesson Plan

    Bethel School District v. Fraser (1986)

    This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that established a school's ability to prohibit inappropriate student language on campus. Students learn about the First Amendment right of free speech, and explore the many different ways the Supreme Court has interpreted it.
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

    This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court’s decision that overturned “separate but equal” in public schools. Students learn about segregation and “equality under the law,” and they use what they learned to craft compound sentences following a structured format. 
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

    This mini-lesson covers the Supreme Court’s decision about limiting government restrictions on campaign contributions. Students learn about campaign finance, Super PACs, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold Act), and the First Amendment. Students compare campaign tactics, and evaluate the cost and effectiveness of reaching a large audience.  
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Clapper v. Amnesty International (2013)

    This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court’s decision that determined the government’s ability to conduct electronic surveillance of its citizens. Students learn about the First Amendment right to free speech, the Fourth Amendment protection from unreasonable searches, national security, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Students evaluate different forms of government monitoring, and provide their perspective on whether government surveillance is a necessity for national security, or a violation of people’s privacy and individual rights.
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

    This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court decision that determined Dred Scott, having lived in a free territory, was not entitled to his freedom. Students learn about the impact of the Court’s decision, and how it was a stepping-stone to the Civil War. Students also examine the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments which overturned the decision, and the black codes that were passed in some states.
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch (2015)

    This mini-lesson explores the Supreme Court’s decision regarding a company’s discrimination against a Muslim woman during the hiring process. Students learn how Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits workplace discrimination, and then they identify religious discrimination in multiple workplace scenarios.
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Elk v. Wilkins (1884)

    This mini-lesson examines the Supreme Court’s ruling that the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause did not apply to American Indians born on Native reservations. Students analyze a primary document and discover how the lack of citizenship affected the lives and cultures of Native Americans.
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

    This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court’s decision that interpreted the Commerce and Supremacy Clauses of the U.S. Constitution and affirmed the federal government’s superiority with regard to its enumerated powers. Students learn about the dispute between Gibbons and Ogden, the meaning of the Commerce and Supremacy clauses, and who wins when state and federal powers collide.
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

    This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court’s decision that established a school principal’s right to censor student articles in the school newspaper. Students learn about the limits on student free speech in a school environment. Then they examine the issue of censorship and the reasons for imposing it.
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    In re Gault (1967)

    This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court’s decision that said juvenile offenders have a right to due process. Students learn about 14th Amendment due process, fairness, and the specific rights afforded juveniles in the justice system.
    View kami

See how it all fits together!

View Scope and Sequence