As part of a study of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, class members examine four Supreme Court decisions—Gitlow v. New York, Mapp v. Ohio, Gideon v. Wainwright, and Griswold v. Connecticut—that incorporated the due process clause to make the Bill of Rights apply to states. Groups identify the issue in their case, the court's decision, and the significance of the ruling.

 

Concepts

due process, supreme court cases, civil rights, the bill of rights, the fourteenth amendment

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Have groups create posters that include the text and images that illustrate the Bill of Rights as well as the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments

Classroom Considerations

• The eighth in a series of 19 related resources that examine aspects of the United States government

Pros

• The six-page resource includes the plan and worksheets that detail each case

Cons

• Little scaffolding is provided for the activity
• The activity presumes class members are familiar with the amendments and due process rights